Saratoga’s Star Radio is returning to the area to offer a variety of music and information to listeners living in the Saratoga County region.
In May, Border Media LLC and A&J Radio LLC formed a partnership called Saratoga Radio LLC, which purchased WSSV-AM, 1160AM, licensed to Mechanicville, and 93.3FM, a new FM translator signal licensed to Saratoga Springs.
“The motivation behind this purchase was the desire to bring local radio back to Saratoga Springs,” said Ricki Lee, owner of Saratoga’s Star Radio. “I’ve lived in this area with my wife, Hanna, since last year and we absolutely love it. We felt strongly that this vibrant community deserves a station that super-serves listeners in the area.”
Locally owned and operated, Saratoga’s Star Radio will offer a mix of music from the 1970s to 1990s with a sprinkle of songs from other eras. The target will be an adult contemporary audience age 35-plus. The station will connect Saratoga area listeners with news and weather, as well as things that happen in the community.
“Currently, you can hear Saratoga’s Star Radio on 1160AM, our online stream, or through our Star Radio Mobile Apps,” said Lee. “By early August, our FM signal will be up and running … In the meantime we are looking for locals to help shape the sound of the station by going to starsaratoga.com/help and answering our survey conveying what you want to hear.”
Fran Dingman was hired as the new general manager of Saratoga’s Star Radio to help build the station and drive it forward. She is the current owner of Network Saratoga, an event development, marketing and promotions company responsible for events such as the Longfellows Wedding Show, Saratoga International Flavorfeast and Black Friday Saratoga.
She is the former general manager of Star 101.3 FM and a three-station AM cluster including 1160AM, worked for Anastos Media Group, followed by Empire Broadcasting Corp.
Dingman has 16 years of experience in the radio business and is a 26-year resident of Saratoga Springs.
“I’m so excited to be associated with Saratoga’s Star Radio again. It’s almost surreal, after a short hiatus, to have this opportunity to focus on providing a hometown station to the Saratoga area again,” she said. “I believe that Saratoga listeners have missed having a signal to call their own. We are happy to fill that void with great music, information and familiar voices that locals can look forward to waking up to and hearing on the air. ”
Star Radio is owned by Saratoga Radio LLC. An equal partnership between Border Media LLC and A&J Radio LLC.
Border Media is a radio company owned by husband and wife team, Lee and Hanna Kaleta. Lee, who is also co-founder and CEO of radio technology company Aiir, is a lifelong broadcaster. Border Media owns and operates WRGR in Tupper Lake.
A&J Radio is a husband-and-wife radio company owned and operated by Aaron Ishmael and Jessica Ishmael. They operate WPLB, WXMS and WPLA in the Plattsburgh / Burlington market. They also own Mid-Century Radio LLC which owns and operates WVLZ and WKCE in Knoxville, Tenn.
