WBUR Acquires WMVY-FM, Tisbury, MA from Aritaur Communications, Inc.

The sale is subject to Federal Communications Commission approval and is expected to be completed in early 2013. Terms of the sale have not been disclosed. WBUR hopes to use the signal to expand its presence on the Cape and Islands and south coast area. “We believe that the Islands, Cape Cod and south coast are important parts of the community we cover and serve,” said WBUR general manager Charlie Kravetz in the release. “WBUR has long wanted to meet demand from listeners in this region.”

WMVY will transfer programming and all other assets to the station’s nonprofit arm Friends of mvyradio. “The goal is to continue broadcasting mvyradio’s unique music programming through its online, live streaming . . . and look for a more affordable solution to return to the FM airwaves,” Mr. Gallagher said in the press release. “The mission of Friends of mvyradio in the next 60 days will be to raise enough pledges from listeners and fans of the nearly 30-year-old independent radio station to sustain mvyradio’s programming and staff and find a solution to continue its broadcasting operations.”

Stephan Sloan of our Providence office represented Aritaur Communications in this transaction.