National Radio Wires 1-3-03

In Chicago, one of the most popular dance stations on the Internet, Energy 92.7/5, from Chicago, is flipping to Spanish on January 5th as seen on many of the radio forums on the Internet.

SBS, the owner of the radio station, is dumping its great sounding but low rated dance music format says a Glenn's friend of the radio business in Chicago.

Says Robert Moore: As of this coming Sunday (January 5th) SBS is expected to flip WKIE/WKIF/WDEK(Energy92.7&5)/Chicago to a Spanish format TBD. The move leaves Chicago with WBBM-FM(B96.3) as the only place to hear some Dance product. Energy92.7&5 now joins KTHT(Hot97.1)/Houston as the latest Rhythmic Top40 casulties to kick off 2003.

SBS Press Release Announcing New Spanish Format for Energy/Chicago

Press ReleaseSource: Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

Spanish Broadcasting System Acquires Three Chicago Radio Stations
Friday January 3, 7:58 am ET
- Company Purchases WDEK-FM, WKIE-FM and WKIF-FM from Big City Radio, Inc.
- Expands Chicago Cluster to Four Stations -

NEW YORK, Jan. 3 -- Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with Big City Radio, Inc. to purchase stations WDEK-FM, WKIE-FM and WKIF-FM in the greater Chicago area for $22 million in cash. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2003.

Raul Alarcon, President and CEO of SBS stated, "We are excited about this expansion opportunity in Chicago FM radio. The three stations will be simulcast with a new Spanish format. They will add to our existing WLEY-FM leadership position and provide us with clustering efficiencies in this important core market."

About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is the largest Hispanic-controlled radio broadcasting company in the United States. SBS currently owns and/or operates 24 stations in seven of the top-ten U.S. Hispanic markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, San Antonio, and Puerto Rico. The Company also operates LaMusica.com, a bilingual Spanish-English Internet Web site providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture. Source: Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

The LMA at ENERGY 92-7 & 5 happens as of 12:01a MONDAY (1/6), and all of the current jocks have been let go, effective at that time. PD CHRIS SHEBEL will be the last DJ from the old staff on SUNDAY night (1/5), before SBS takes over.