Thursday, October 22, 1998
Jacor to buy WTTF for $2.4 million
By Jefferson Wolfe
Staff Writer
Tiffin's radio station may be sold by local owners to a corporate radio giant, if the FCC approves the deal.
Jacor Communications Inc. of Covington, Ky., bought the AM and the FM stations for $2.4 million, pending Federal Communications Commission approval.
Jacor itself is being acquired by another group in a deal which would create the nation's second-largest radio company in terms of the number radio stations.
Pam Taylor, spokesperson for Jacor, said teh federal approval process usually takes 45-60 days.
''Right now, they've agreed to sell it, and we've agreed to buy it,'' she said.
Taylor said she could not comment on any changes Jacor might make at the station until the deal is complete.
WTTF was started as an AM station in 1959 by the late Bob Wright and a partner. The partnership was merged into Malrite Communications; an FM format was added in 1963.
Wright's sons, Richard and Bob, joined the business. The younger Bob, who for 37 years was the voice of ''The Voice of Seneca County,'' died in a car accident im 1996. Richard is station president and general manager.
Jacor now owns, operates or represents 234 stations in 56 broadcast areas.
Jacor and its wholly owned subsidary, Premire Radio Networks, combine to form the third-largest provider of sydicated radio programming in the country, including The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Dr. Laura Schlessinger Show, Dr. Dean Edell and Art Bell's overnight programs ''Dreamland'' and ''Coast to Coast.''
The company also owns NSN Network Services, a satellite systems intergration company that provides design, communications technology and support to establish and maintain global satellite connectivity to companies worldwide.