Urban One Agrees to Acquire Emmis Indianapolis Stations

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 13, 2022 | 4:49pm CT

Urban One

Urban One has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement with Emmis Communications to purchase its cluster of radio stations in Indianapolis. Under the deal, Urban One will acquire WYXB-FM (B105.7), WLHK-FM (97.1), WIBC-FM (93.1), translators W228CX and W298BB (The Fan 93.5 and 107.5) and Network Indiana. Terms were not immediately disclosed.

"These are terrific general market formats (Best Variety, Country, News and Sports) and will be a great addition to Urban One in a transaction that is accretive and deleveraging," said Urban One President and CEO Alfred Liggins.

"When Emmis launched our first station, WENS now HANK FM, in 1981, I never could have envisioned the journey we would go on. Indianapolis is my hometown, and I'm so proud of what we've been able to accomplish - we've become an invaluable contributor to the Indianapolis community, a leader of radio industry initiative and innovation, and a trusted resource for Central Indiana listeners and businesses," said Emmis Founder and Chairman Jeff Smulyan.

Ahead of the transaction, Urban One will sell its WHHH along with the intellectual property related to WNOW to a third party. Both the acquisition and disposition are subject to FCC approval and other customary closing conditions, anticipated in the third quarter of 2022. Emmis will continue to operate its stations and Urban One will continue to operate WHHH until the transaction closes.