Stephen King’s rock ‘n’ roll legacy in Maine comes to an abrupt end as his radio stations prepare for their final broadcast on New Year’s Eve.
At a Glance
- Stephen King’s Zone Corporation will cease operations on December 31, 2024
- Multiple eastern Maine radio stations affected, including WKIT, WZLO, and WZON
- King cited age and need to organize business affairs as reasons for closure
- Stations have been financially unprofitable, with King covering losses over the years
- Closure marks the end of over four decades of independent, local radio broadcasting
The Final Countdown for King’s Radio Empire
Stephen King’s radio station company, Zone Corporation, is set to pull the plug on its operations come New Year’s Eve. This decision marks the end of an era for eastern Maine’s airwaves, affecting multiple stations including WKIT 100.3 FM, WZLO 620 AM, and WZON 103.1 FM.
King, renowned for his spine-chilling novels, first dipped his toes into the radio business in 1983 when he purchased WZON, named after his book “The Dead Zone.” Over the years, he expanded his radio empire, acquiring WZLO and WKIT, creating a haven for rock ‘n’ roll enthusiasts in the region.
Stephen King’s radio station company announced on Monday it will cease operations at the end of this month.https://t.co/qDNI8OaVZd
— WSBT (@WSBT) December 2, 2024
The King’s Reasons: Age, Business, and Finances
The horror maestro cited his advancing age and the need to organize his business affairs as primary reasons for the closure. However, the financial realities of running independent radio stations in today’s corporate-dominated landscape have also played a significant role. Despite King’s personal efforts to cover the losses over the years, the stations have remained financially unprofitable.
“While radio across the country has been overtaken by giant corporate broadcasting groups, I’ve loved being a local, independent owner all these years,” King said in a statement. “I’ve loved the people who’ve gone to these stations every day and entertained folks, kept the equipment running, and given local advertisers a way to connect with their customers. Tabby and I are proud to have been a part of that for more than four decades.”
This statement from King underscores the personal attachment and pride he took in maintaining these independent stations. It’s a testament to his commitment to local culture and his resistance to the homogenization of radio by corporate interests.
A Legacy of Independence and Local Flavor
For over four decades, King’s radio stations have been a bastion of independent broadcasting in Maine. They’ve provided a platform for local voices, music, and advertisers, standing out in an increasingly corporate-dominated media landscape. The closure of these stations represents more than just a business decision; it’s the end of a cultural institution that has shaped the soundscape of eastern Maine for generations.
Ken Wood, the general manager for the past decade, expressed both pride in the stations’ achievements and sadness over their impending closure. His words reflect the bittersweet sentiment felt by many in the community who have come to rely on these stations for their daily dose of rock ‘n’ roll and local news.
