KBest Media in Big Spring, Texas, will sell its radio stations to Ryan Media, a subsidiary of OneRyan Global.
The new owner is promising a significant local presence for the stations, which include 95.7 KBST-FM, 94.3 KBTS(FM), 1490 KBST (AM) and a translator on 103.9.
The sellers are the estate of Sheila and Mike Abusaab, along with Malinda and Danny Flenniken and Kusamakar Sooda.
The company’s five full-time and three part-time employees will transition to the new ownership. The studios will move from Johnson Street to East Third Street in Big Spring.
Terms were not disclosed. The sale is pending FCC approval.
OneRyan was founded by Amanda Ryan in 2018. It is the family office of Ryan LLC Founder, Chairman and CEO G. Brint Ryan and his family, whose business interests include real estate, hospitality, private equity and philanthropy. This is their first broadcast purchase.
In the announcement, Managing Partner Malinda Flenniken said, “Mr. Ryan and I have been envisioning KBest Studios ‘booming from downtown Big Spring’ for several years now, and even shared the idea of relocation with KBest’s President Mike Abusaab before his passing in 2021. In 2023, Sheila Abusaab and I began negotiations with Mr. Ryan for a full transfer of ownership.
“These types of transactions take time, but we are finally growing closer to the finish line. My only sadness is that Sheila passed away before seeing the groundbreaking. But we will continue the project and anticipate exciting things ahead.”
She said Brint Ryan brings “vision and commitment to Big Spring.” The company quoted Brint Ryan saying that “Local radio has always been more than music and news — it’s about community, connection and trust. …We’re especially excited to add KBest to our other Big Spring assets, including Hotel Settles and Mr. Gatti’s Pizza. It’s all part of our broader commitment to supporting and growing the businesses and institutions that make this community special.”
She described a vision for downtown Big Spring: “A ‘Rockefeller Plaza’ type of atmosphere with the energy of KBest’s live coverage visible from the street corner, right next to the magnificent Hotel Settles standing as the beacon.”
