FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 06, 1997
For additional information contact:
George Habel, Capitol Networks, (919) 890-6031
WDNC AM-620 Radio: CURTIS MEDIA GROUP TO MANAGE WDNC RADIO
RALEIGH, NC – AUGUST 06, 1997 — Curtis Media Group will assume management of WDNC/The News Station (AM-620) on August 18, 1997. The announcement was made today by Capitol Networks which has managed the station for three years under a “time brokerage agreement” with the Durham Herald Company, which publishes the Herald-Sun Newspaper.
The Herald Company holds the station’s Federal Communications Commission license, but it contracted with Capitol Networks, a division of Capitol Broadcasting Co. to operate the station in April, 1994. Capitol built new studios and relocated the station to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in 1995.
“We’ve worked hard to maintain WDNC’s tradition, to serve Durham, and to develop the all-news format for the Triangle, but recent station ownership changes make it possible for us to ‘pass the torch’ in a very positive way,” said Capitol Vice President George Habel. Curtis Media Group recently purchased WCHL (AM-1360) in Chapel Hill. “Curtis has a great opportunity to serve both communities, while operating the stations in tandem. This should ensure the stability of these ‘heritage’ stations and their service to Durham and Chapel Hill,” said Habel.
“We are excited about the prospects of operating WDNC. As a news-talk station, it fits very well with our company’s other stations in the Triangle,” said Don Curtis, President of the Curtis Media Group. “We have no major plans to change the format or operation of WDNC.”
Additionally, a long-term agreement has been negotiated for WDNC to serve as the flagship station of the Durham Bulls airing the entire home and road game schedule each season. WDNC will continue to broadcast Duke University sports, Capitol Networks programming, and news from WRAL-TV5.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL-Digital, WRAL-FM, Microspace, the North Carolina News Network, DTV Plus, Wolfpack Sports Marketing, and Capitol Sports Management in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WFVT-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and the Durham Bulls Baseball Club in Durham, NC; and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Club in Myrtle Beach, SC; Capitol Broadcasting Company also founded Local TV on Satellite in Raleigh, NC.
