Mapleton Communications
Company typeFor-profit corporation
GenreRadio
Founded2001
Defunct2019
FateDivestiture of all properties
SuccessorStephens Media Group
HeadquartersMonterey, California
ProductsAdvertisements

Mapleton Communications (MC) was a media company. It was formed in May 2001 to acquire and operate radio stations in mid-sized markets in the western United States. Mapleton owned and operated 41 radio stations (11 AM and 30 FM) in California, Oregon and Washington State. It was based in Monterey, California.[1]

History

Mapleton was founded in 2001 by Adam Nathanson, son of billionaire cable businessman Marc Nathanson.[2] The Nathanson family roots in radio go back to advertising executive Don Paul Nathanson, who first published Radio Showmanship Magazine in 1940. DP Nathanson bought his first radio station in 1952 along with Burt Harris (KTWO) in Casper, Wyoming. D.P. Nathanson was the founder of Grey North Advertising and Vice-Chairman of Grey Advertising before his death in 1980. Current CEO/President is Jim Shea, formerly with Clear Channel and others.

In July 2019, Mapleton announced its exit from the radio business, with four stations going to Bustos Media and the remaining stations going to Stephens Media Group.[3] The sale to Stephens was approved on October 9, 2019, [4] and was completed on October 15, 2019, bringing a close to the nearly 20-year history of the company.

List of Former Mapleton Stations before selling to Stephens Media Group

Alexandria

Chico

Medford

Merced, California

Monroe

Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz, California

Redding, California

Spokane

Stations divested to Other Groups

Chico

San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose

References

  1. ^ "In an era of consolidation, the future of radio is uncertain". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  2. ^ Los Angeles Times: "Small radio's big appeal - Each Mapleton station has a unique identity, allowing it to stand out in an industry that's criticized for a uniform sound" by Alana Semuels April 11, 2007
  3. ^ "Stephens Media Group Acquires 37 Stations From Mapleton Communications" from Radio Insight (July 1, 2019)
  4. ^ "Stephens completes its Mapleton deal". Streamline Publishing. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
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