Gois Broadcasting, the family-owned Spanish-language broadcasting company, has announced a deal to buy two Connecticut stations from Freedom Communications of Hartford for a total of $2.65 million.
“We’re always looking to grow, and we’re always looking at other markets, other opportunities,” said Ivon Gois, whose firm also owns WORC 1310 AM in Worcester.
Radio stations WLAT 910 AM and WNEZ 1230 AM were placed in receivership more than a year ago after Freedom Communications’ CEO Stephen Brisker was accused of financial irregularities.
The receiver, Gregory Guy of Maryland-based media broker Patrick Communications, said the stations have always been profitable. Over the past year, he said, his company stabilized Freedom’s finances and paid creditors to get the properties ready for sale. Guy is also looking at options for a third Connecticut Freedom station, WKND 1480, an urban-format, daytime-only station with a 500-watt signal.
Puerto Rican/Dominican Markets
Both of the new Gois stations target Hartford’s Spanish-speaking market, with both broadcasting Spanish-language programming: WLAT plays music and WNEZ is focused mostly on news. Gois said the audience in the Hartford area is heavily Puerto Rican and Dominican, with somewhat fewer Central Americans than in Worcester.
“We’ll definitely be catering to that market down there, especially with WLAT,” he said.
Gois said his company will eventually introduce more local programming on the Hartford stations, but he said there will be no immediate personnel changes.
Gois began operating the stations on Nov. 1, and the sales will be finalized after receiving FCC approval. He said the company is opening a new office in Hartford while maintaining their existing Worcester location.
“Nothing will change in Worcester,” he said. “We’re still very committed to serving the local community as well.”
