KUOA sold to Hog Radio group
Posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/hl/News/24913/
Galen Gilbert, president of Classic Country KUOA 1290-AM, announced his retirement Tuesday afternoon after more than 60 years in the radio broadcasting business.
Gilbert decided to sell the Siloam Springs-based radio station to Jay Bunyard of DeQueen.
An agreement was signed Thursday, and the deal is expected to close in early August.
“ It was an unsolicited officer, ” Gilbert said.
Hog Radio Inc., which owns stations in Berryville, DeQueen, Mena, Arkadelphia and Camden, will be KUOA’s new owner, Gilbert said.
“ The buyer is offering to continue employment to most of the employees, ” Gilbert said.
Grant Merrill will be the station manager.
The Federal Communications Commission must approve the deal before the station is sold, Gilbert said.
“ This is the last station I have interest in, ” he said.
Gilbert purchased the 5 000-watt radio station in December 2005.
He and his wife, Elnora, met at the station in the late 1930 s when John Brown University owned it.
The station, known as Arkansas ’ first radio station, started as an experiment by the University of Arkansas in the 1920 s.
University of Arkansas sold the radio station to JBU in 1935 for $ 16, 000.