On May 5, Connoisseur Media (“Connoisseur”) and Alpha Media (“Alpha”) announced they have entered into a definitive agreement in which Alpha will be acquired by Connoisseur. The combined company will retain the Connoisseur name and be led by Connoisseur CEO Jeff Warshaw.

Upon completion, Connoisseur’s broadcast footprint will consist of 218 radio stations in 47 markets covering approximately 20% of the U.S., including top markets such as San Antonio, Portland, Salt Lake City, Nassau-Suffolk, Palm Springs and San Jose. At close, Connoisseur will rank among the top 10 radio groups both by station count and by revenue, uniquely positioned to evaluate and pursue strategic growth opportunities.  Here in Michigan, Alpha currently owns six stations in the Saginaw market.

Combining Alpha’s “live and local” philosophy with Connoisseur’s focus on community connectivity, the new platform will be focused on better serving the needs of its local listeners and advertising partners. In addition to its broadcast properties, Connoisseur currently owns and operates Ferocious Digital, a leading provider of digital marketing services. When integrated with Alpha Digital, the combined organization will continue to expand and enhance its digital capabilities – delivering forward-thinking integrated marketing services.

Jeff Warshaw, CEO of Connoisseur Media, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Alpha Media into the Connoisseur family. In getting to know the Alpha team, it has become clear that we share many of the same values — a passion for serving our local communities, a deep commitment to our clients, supporting our colleagues and fostering a culture of integrity, creativity and achievement. This transaction underscores our commitment to the irreplaceable role local broadcasters play in providing news, information and entertainment that truly resonates. Together, we will build an industry-leading platform of broadcast and digital. I could not be more excited to get started.”

The transaction is subject to FCC approval and expected to close in the second half of 2025. In the meantime, Connoisseur and Alpha have entered into a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA).

This transaction marks a return to Michigan for Connoisseur.  The company owned stations in the Flint/Saginaw/Bay City/Midland market as well as Muskegon before selling those properties to Cumulus Media in late 1999.

About Connoisseur Media:
Connoisseur Media owns market-leading radio stations in regions including Nassau-Suffolk, NY, Metro Fairfield County, CT and New Haven, CT. It operates 11 radio stations and its digital marketing services company, Ferocious Digital in markets that include New York and Connecticut. Often regarded as one of the most respected media companies in the country, Connoisseur is a forward-thinking media company dedicated to helping brands grow and advertisers to succeed.

About Alpha Media:
Alpha Media is a diverse, multimedia company that owns or operates over 200 live broadcast radio stations serving 44 markets across the United States. In addition to our over-the-air broadcasts, Alpha audio products can be heard across multiple platforms, including all major smart devices. Alpha boasts a local-first heritage maintaining strong relationships with listeners and clients in the communities where they live and work.