SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Auburn Networks LLC has reached an agreement to purchase the media assets of Auburn Network Inc. in Auburn-Opelika including Wings 94.3 (WGZZ/WGZZ-HD), NewsTalk WANI (WANI-AM/W242AY), ESPN 106.7 (WGZZ-HD3/W294AR), 96.3 WLEE (WGZZ-HD2/W242AX), and the quarterly East Alabama Living magazine.
The new company is owned by Lee Perryman, whose current platforms under the RadioAlabama brand are FOX Sports Central Alabama on 98.3 FM (WFXO/WFXO-HD), MIX 106.5 (WFXO-HD2/W293CQ), 105.1 WRFS (WRFS), KiX 100.3 (WYEA/W262DI), KiX 96.3 (WSGN/W242CP), AU100 (WAUE), SylacaugaNews.com, and RadioAlabama Sports.
“We will begin working with the stations under a local management and programming agreement by Oct. 1 as is customary and pursuant to Federal Communications Commission policies,” Perryman said, “with assignment of licenses pending FCC review and approval.”
“We are excited about this opportunity to further expand in and for the benefit of the Auburn-Opelika area. These stations exemplify what radio is supposed to be in serving their communities – a persistent passion for listener engagement and public service in multiple formats. The local mission, programming, and focus will continue, and I look forward to working with the current team.”
In March, Auburn Network stations were honored with 2020 ABBY awards for the state’s best Sports Show/Sports Talk Show, best Talk Show (for the 11th time), and best Regularly Scheduled Newscast (for the ninth time). Frequently recognized for excellence, WANI was named Alabama’s Radio Station of the Year in 2009 and 2016. RadioAlabama’s central Alabama stations, owned by Marble City Media LLC, are home to the state’s 2017 Radio Station of the Year; Best Morning Show of 2016, 2019, and 2020; the Alabama Broadcaster’s Association’s 2014 Broadcaster of the Year; and winners of other prestigious ABBY Awards in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
WANI-AM was first licensed in Opelika in June 1940. WGZZ-FM was originally licensed to Dadeville in 1989 and moved to the Auburn suburbs in 2004, followed by a frequency change in 2010 along with the addition of HD Radio technology and new analog FM channels beginning in 2011.
