Eight Central Coast radio stations owned by Clear Channel apparently have been sold to equity investment firm Frontier Capital Partners of Los Angeles, according to Radio & Records, an information company serving the radio and music industries.

The local stations reportedly sold by Clear Channel are KSMA-AM, KXFM-FM and KSNI-FM in Santa Maria, KSMY-FM in Lompoc, KURQ-FM in Grover Beach, KVEC-AM and KSLY-FM in San Luis Obispo and KSTT-FM in Los Osos-Baywood Park.

The eight are among 13 California stations included in a 16-station sale, Radio & Records reported Monday on its Web site, www.radioandrecords.com.

Local Clear Channel officials have consistently deferred questions about the sale to the public relations firm that handles Clear Channel's media contacts, Brainerd Communicators Inc. in New York.

However, Brainerd closed early for the Fourth of July holiday and Michelle Clark, the executive handling the account, did not return a voice mail message seeking comment by press time.

The Radio & Records report was posted the same day by KVEC talk show host Dave Congalton on his blog, http://blog.920kvec.com/.

Those who had posted blog messages in response expressed fears that the new owner would slash station staffs and eliminate all local programming, especially since the buyer is an investment firm, not a media company.

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In response, Congalton emphasized that there is no indication the new owners will make any changes at the Central Coast stations.

“No one at KVEC has lost their jobs because of new owners and I do not expect any major changes in programming or staff,” Congalton wrote. “We'll have another update for you during (the Dave Congalton Show) on Thursday.

“Keep the faith,” he added. “Hometown Radio is alive and well.”

Local Clear Channel employees last year confirmed the Central Coast stations were up for sale.

Seven Santa Barbara area Clear Channel stations apparently were sold in February, although a Brainerd representative at that time declined to make any comment on the sale.

In addition to the Central Coast stations, Frontier Capital Partners has purchased stations in George, Lucerne Valley, Apple Valley and Yermo in California, according to Radio & Records.

The remaining three stations in the sale are in Yuma, Ariz., Radio & Records reported.

July 5, 2007