Brothers Michael Roberts Sr. and Steven Roberts Sr. expanded their St. Louis-based business empire recently with the purchase of a Jackson, Mississippi, radio station. It is believed to be the first time two African American brothers have owned radio and television stations in the same market.
Roberts Broadcasting Co. (No. 77 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $49.2 million in sales) secured the purchase of WRJH/Hot 97 in Jackson last September for $2 million. Roberts Broadcasting already owned the CW-TV network affiliate station of WRBJ Channel 34 in the city.
“The FCC has given us preliminary approval for the transfer of the license from the previous owners,” says Michael. “We are not planning to make any major changes to the current format.”
The brothers also recently closed a deal to purchase a television station in Evansville, Indiana, he says, and they are in negotiations to purchase another television station in Wichita, Kansas.