ESPN Arkansas Expands with 93.7 FM Acquisition

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5:44pm CT

ESPN Arkansas

Pearson Broadcasting of Northwest Arkansas and the Baker Family Trust have reached a definitive agreement to transfer the 93.7 FM frequency, currently home to KISR (Kisser 93), to Pearson Broadcasting.

Under the agreement, KISR will shift from 93.7 FM to 93.1 FM and continue serving the River Valley with its established local format. Upon closing, the 93.7 FM signal will be rebranded as ESPN Arkansas 93.7, expanding the network's reach across Northwest Arkansas and the greater River Valley.

The addition of the 100,000-watt signal significantly broadens ESPN Arkansas' coverage, extending service to Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Northwest Arkansas, Harrison, Mountain Home, and parts of Eastern Oklahoma.

Fred Baker, President of KISR and founder of the station more than 55 years ago, said the move aligns with the station's original mission to remain focused on local service. He noted that while KISR's expanded signal improved coverage, it made it more difficult to maintain a strictly local focus. He added that Pearson Broadcasting's commitment to local radio made the company an ideal partner.

Tommy Craft, General Manager of ESPN Arkansas, called the acquisition a "game changer," citing the expanded reach and the opportunity to bring more listeners into its live and local sports talk programming, particularly coverage of University of Arkansas athletics.

The Baker Family Trust currently operates six stations in the region, while Pearson Broadcasting Management Services oversees multiple outlets across Arkansas, including stations in Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Harrison, Mountain Home, and Northwest Arkansas.

The transaction is subject to FCC approval and is expected to close early this summer. Mark Jorgenson of Jorgenson Broadcast Brokerage represented the Baker Family Trust in the deal.