Connoisseur Media Sells Four in Minnesota to Hometown

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, August 28, 2026 | 10:56am CT

Connoisseur Media

Connoisseur Media has agreed to sell four stations serving Austin and Albert Lea, MN, to Hometown Broadcasting of Austin and Albert Lea, LLC. The deal includes KAUS-AM and KAUS-FM in Austin and KATE-AM and KCPI-FM in Albert Lea. The transaction is subject to FCC approval and is expected to close in early fall.

Connoisseur said the sale is part of its continuing effort to refine its station portfolio and concentrate resources in markets where it believes it can have a greater impact. The move also continues the strategic plan put in place following Connoisseur's acquisition of Alpha Media's stations in September 2025.

"The Austin and Albert Lea market area was not a market where we felt Connoisseur could make a meaningful difference with the focus and approach we bring to radio," said Connoisseur Media founder and CEO Jeff Warshaw.

Warshaw said the company seeks strong local operators when it determines a market does not fit its strategy. He said Connoisseur had been talking with Hometown Broadcasting CEO Greg Jensen for some time and was impressed by his commitment to the communities and desire to return to radio.

"We look forward to serving our communities and surrounding areas with hometown ideas, local broadcasting and a commitment to being an active part of the communities we serve," Jensen said. "We also look forward to hearing from our listeners and community members and building these stations together."

Jensen also thanked Warshaw and Mike Orlandella of Kalil & Co. for bringing the transaction together.

Kalil & Co. served as the exclusive broker for the deal, while Wilkinson Barker Knauer represented Connoisseur Media as legal counsel. Financial terms were not disclosed.