Cumulus Media has sold its radio cluster on Brevard County's Space Coast to MARC, a transaction that shifts ownership of a Top 40 station and its Classic Rock and Country counterparts. The deal, finalized in late 2023, marks Cumulus' exit from the Orlando Designated Market Area as the company continues to restructure after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The stations, based in Cocoa Beach, will now operate under MARC's management, which is owned by a Florida-based automotive group with ties to the state's broadcasting industry.
The cluster includes KROQ-style Top 40 programming, along with Classic Rock and Country formats that have drawn consistent listenership in the Space Coast region. MARC's acquisition comes as the company seeks to strengthen its footprint in Central Florida, where radio remains a key medium for local advertising. The sale does not immediately affect on-air programming or staffing, according to insiders familiar with the transaction.
Cumulus, which has been divesting assets since its bankruptcy filing in 2022, had previously sold stations in Tampa and Jacksonville. The Orlando cluster represents its last major holding in the area. MARC, meanwhile, has been active in acquiring radio properties across the state, including a recent purchase in Daytona Beach. The company's owner, who previously built a regional automotive dealership chain, has cited a growing interest in media as a strategic diversification effort.
The transition is expected to be seamless, with no changes to station frequencies or broadcast licenses. Listeners in Brevard County and surrounding areas will continue to receive the same content, though MARC has not yet announced plans for new programming initiatives. The sale underscores the ongoing consolidation in the radio industry, as larger companies exit markets and smaller operators expand their reach.