SBS Pays $12.5M for Two Florida Radio Stations in Expansion of El Zol Tropical Format
Formerly owned by Cox, Orlando's 95.3 WPYO and Tampa's 97.1 WSUN will broadcast shows from popular radio personalities Alex Sensation and Molusco y Los Reyes de la Punta.
Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) has acquired 95.3 WPYO (FM) in Orlando and 97.1 WSUN (FM) in Tampa from Cox Radio LLC, it was announced Thursday (May 5). Billboard can confirm that the total transaction price was $12.5 million.
As a result of the acquisitions, both FM stations — which have been renamed El Nuevo Zol 95 and El Nuevo Zol 97 — will debut a Latin format on Monday (May 9), joining SBS’ popular El Nuevo Zol family. Each will boast a Spanish tropical format, including reggaeton, bachata and salsa music, and broadcast renowned radio personalities Alex Sensation and Molusco y Los Reyes de la Punta.
WYPO, or Power 95.3, was previously known as “Orlando’s new #1 for all the hits” while WSUN, or 97X, was an alt-rock station.
“Now you will listen to me live from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Orlando, Tampa, and the rest of our SBS stations in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Puerto Rico,” Sensation said on Instagram.
“The radio in Florida will have the best upgrade,” Molusco noted on his social media accounts.
SBS chairman and CEO Raúl Alarcon said the addition of the two “El Zol” stations makes SBS “the largest Spanish radio owner in the state of Florida.”
“We look forward to super-serving our audiences and advertisers in the Sunshine State and across the nation with the best radio, digital audio, and live-events content, including the most popular and iconic on-air talent, geared specifically for today’s influential Hispanic consumer,” Alarcon said in a statement.
With the two new acquisitions, SBS plans to “expand its aggregate audience [to] forge closer connections with the Hispanic community and offer unique advertising opportunities to its brand partners.”