NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:BBGI) (the “Company”), a large- and mid-size market radio broadcaster, announced today that Beasley Media Group, Inc. has entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell WNCT-AM, WNCT-FM, WSFL-FM, WIKS-FM, WMGV-FM and WXNR-FM, which serve the Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, North Carolina market, for $11 million in cash to CMG Coastal Carolina, LLC, a subsidiary of Curtis Media Group. Beasley Broadcast Group intends to use proceeds from the divestiture to reduce debt. CMG Coastal Carolina, which is affiliated with Curtis Media Group, intends to spin-off WNCT-FM to Inner Banks Media, LLC.
Caroline Beasley, Chief Executive Officer of Beasley Broadcast Group, commented, “Since the Company’s founding in 1961, Beasley has established a long-term record of successfully optimizing its station portfolio through both strategic acquisitions and divestitures to drive returns for our shareholders. Last November we completed the accretive acquisition of Greater Media, adding 17 stations (net of divestitures) and four attractive new markets to our operating footprint. We are making continued progress with the integration of the new stations as we apply our proven strategies that focus on strong core programming and targeted localism to support ratings and market leadership. We are confident that the stations being divested will continue to offer listeners in Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville great local programming.”
The sale of the six Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville stations, expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2017, is subject to FCC approval and other customary closing conditions. Michael Bergner of Bergner and Company served as the broker in the transaction.
About Beasley Broadcast Group
Celebrating its 56th anniversary this year, Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., (www.bbgi.com) was founded in 1961 by George G. Beasley who remains the Company’s Chairman of the Board. Pro forma for the completion of announced divestitures, Beasley Broadcast Group owns and operates 63 stations (45 FM and 18 AM) in 15 large- and mid-size markets in the United States. Approximately 18.0 million consumers listen to Beasley radio stations weekly over-the-air, online and on smartphones and tablets and millions regularly engage with the Company’s brands and personalities through digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, text, apps and email. For more information, please visit www.bbgi.com.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements in this release that are “forward-looking statements” are based upon current expectations and assumptions, and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or expressions such as “intends,” “expects,” “expected,” “anticipates” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Key risks are described in our reports filed with the SEC including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Definitive Information Statement, as filed with the SEC on September 23, 3016. Readers should note that forward-looking statements are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties and may be impacted by several factors, including: external economic forces that could have a material adverse impact on our advertising revenues and results of operations; our radio stations may not be able to compete effectively in their respective markets for advertising revenues; we may not remain competitive if we do not respond to changes in technology, standards and services that affect our industry; our substantial debt levels; the loss of key personnel; and our failure to successfully combine our business with Greater Media’s business in the expected time frame. Our actual performance and results could differ materially because of these factors and other factors discussed in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” in our SEC filings, including but not limited to annual reports on Form 10-K or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which can be obtained from the SEC, www.sec.gov, or our website, www.bbgi.com. All information in this release is as of February 3, 2017, and we undertake no obligation to update the information contained herein to actual results or changes to our expectations.