Big Radio CEO Ben Thompson Buys WCLO-WJVL Janesville WI

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Big Radio

Big Radio CEO Ben Thompson has agreed to acquire 1kW WCLO-AM (1230) and 11kW WJVL-FM (99.9) in Janesville, WI, from Southern Wisconsin Broadcasting. The seller (SWB) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bliss Communications Inc., owned by Sidney (Skip) H. Bliss. WCLO-AM began broadcasting in 1930 under the leadership of Skip's father and was the first radio station operated by the Bliss family. WJVL-FM began broadcasting in 1947.

Ben Thompson is CEO of Big Radio and is part of a father/son operation, locally operating eight stations from its offices in Beloit, Freeport, Monroe and Janesville. Scott Thompson founded Big Radio in 1996 with the purchase of two radio stations in Monroe, WI. After four years at Magnetar Capital, a Chicago-based hedge fund, Ben Thompson moved to Beloit and was named CEO of the family business. Both Scott and Ben reside in-market.

Kalil & Co. represented the buyer in this transaction.