WEGP radio station sold
New owner will retain news-talk format, staff
PRESQUE ISLE — Decelles-Smith Media Inc. has filed an application with the FCC to transfer assignment of its license for WEGP AM 1390 radio station in Presque Isle to Northern Maine Broadcasting Inc.
NEW OWNER, SAME STAFF
WEGP AM 1390 of Presque Isle, has been sold to Northern Maine Broadcasting Inc. but has retained the current staff at Aroostook’s Talk Radio station. They include, seated, operations manager, Patrick Patterson and standing, from left, account executives Keacha Haines and Jeff Madore, and sales manager, Bonnie Pack.
The station, which features a talk radio format and carries such programs as Red Sox baseball, Rush Limbaugh, Howie Carr and Glen Beck, is selling for $220,000, according to the application which was filed June 16 with the federal licensing body.
Decelles called the pending sale a good outcome for all concerned.
“The new owner, Mr. Greg McNeil, formerly of Millinocket, was not interested in the radio station, unless the current staff was willing to stay with the company. He is thrilled to be retaining the services of sales manager, Bonnie Pack (of Caribou), operations manager, Patrick Patterson (of Easton) and account executives Jeff Madore (of Perham) and Keacha Haines (of Caribou). There will be no job cuts and the locals will stay in their current positions,” he said.
“I think that the market will be served better by an owner who has Aroostook County ties and who will spend significant time in the community. Mr. McNeil does not plan to make significant changes to the format. The news-talk format will remain, as well as Red Sox baseball. He is also considering the addition of more local content,” Decelles said.
Patterson said he and Pack were excited that the new owner has promised to update even more equipment for the studio and signal. “He is also planning on being in Aroostook County to help us grow even more and that is a good thing. We are looking forward to our new partnership with the new owner,” he added.
“Since we added Glen Beck, news in the morning and sports with “Fireman Fred” Parsons, WEGP 1390 AM Talk Radio has gained new listeners and new advertisers. This station is growing fast and we are working real hard to make WEGP your number-one radio station in The County,” said Pack.
She added, “We are truly going to miss the previous owner (Paul Decelles) who has worked with us so diligently to improve this station.”
A copy of the application is on file for public review at the studio.
