Connoisseur Media To Acquire Alpha Media
• Connoisseur Media and Alpha Media today 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.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alpha Media into the Connoisseur family,” said Warshaw. “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.”
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.
Upon completion, Connoisseur’s broadcast footprint will consist of 218 radio stations in 47 markets covering approximately 20% of the U.S. 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. In the meantime, Connoisseur and Alpha have entered into a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA).
The transaction is subject to FCC approval and expected to close in the second half of 2025.
Guggenheim Securities is serving as exclusive financial advisor and Wiley Rein is serving as legal counsel to Alpha. McDermott, Will & Emery and Wilkinson Barker Knauer are serving as legal advisors to Connoisseur. Financing for the transaction is being provided by Brigade Capital Management.
