ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140043
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
Travis Broadcasting, owners of KOOL Country, WBNK-FM, WNRV-AM and WFNR-AM radio stations, has tentatively agreed to buy Radford stations WRAD-AM and WRIQ-FM.
If the $550,000 transaction gains Federal Communications Commission approval, Travis Broadcasting will square off against the New River Media Group as its largest competitor for area radio listeners.
Bob Travis, president of Travis Broadcasting, declined to say Tuesday what format changes may be made if the sale is successful. The combined stations under Travis Broadcasting's ownership will give the group "a much better range of products to offer to advertisers," he said.
The stations will continue to broadcast local news and Radford and Pulaski high school sports, he added.
Plans are to continue broadcasting from the current WRAD and WRIQ studio in Fairlawn, at least for the present, Travis said.
The Ohio-based media group Dix Communications is the long-time owner and operator of WRAD and WRIQ. Ray Hatley, the station's general manager, has worked for the stations for more than 30 years.
Travis said he expects the FCC to rule on the sale contract in about 60 days. The expanded network will enhance Travis Broadcasting's position to bid on local broadcast rights for Virginia Tech sports when the current contract expires later this year, he added.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB