Sometimes, the biggest radio stories aren’t about expansion.
They’re about coming full circle.
Less than two years after changing ownership, 93.5 Lake FM (WLGR) in New York’s Adirondack region is heading back to the company that helped build its identity in the first place.
Border Media, led by Ricki Lee, is reacquiring the Classic Hits outlet serving Warrensburg, Glens Falls, and the Lake George region from Sticks Media. Rather than a traditional cash transaction, the deal is being completed through the cancellation of an existing promissory note tied to the station’s previous sale. Sticks Media had acquired WLGR in late 2024 for $295,000.
And while financial restructurings don’t usually inspire much excitement outside accountants and attorneys, this story carries a different tone.
Because radio stations aren’t just assets.
They’re habits.
They’re companions.
They’re part of the rhythm of a community.
They’re the soundtrack to boat rides on Lake George, long drives through the Adirondacks, and the familiar voices that greet listeners every day.
According to Border Media, the transition represents an opportunity to reinvest in the station’s future while maintaining a commitment to serving the community with strong local media. The company emphasized its focus on stability, long-term vision, and preserving the connection listeners and advertisers have come to expect.
Meanwhile, Sticks Media indicated confidence that the station’s next chapter would be in capable hands, with leadership expressing optimism about what lies ahead for WLGR.
And maybe that’s the most refreshing part of this story.
No public mudslinging.
No dramatic exits.
No scorched-earth statements.
Just two ownership groups acknowledging that sometimes the best path forward is finding the right home for a station.
As of now, no major programming changes or staffing announcements have been made public. For listeners, the immediate goal appears to be continuity rather than disruption.
But let’s not overlook the symbolism here.
In an era when local radio often finds itself fighting for relevance against streaming services and endless digital distractions, a company is choosing to double down on a community station it once let go.
That says something.
It says local still matters.
It says relationships still matter.
And it says that sometimes the best investment isn’t chasing the next shiny object.
Sometimes it’s coming back to what you already know and love.
For Lake FM listeners, the songs may remain the same.
But behind the scenes, a familiar hand is back on the wheel.
And in a business built on change, there’s something comforting about a station finding its way home.
On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.
#LakeFM #WLGR #BorderMedia #RickiLee #SticksMedia #ToddNixon #GlensFalls #LakeGeorge #Adirondacks #NewYorkRadio #ClassicHits #RadioIndustry #RadioNews #LocalRadio #Broadcasting #StationSale #MediaBusiness #CommunityRadio #OnTheDial #RadioLife