CHAPEL HILL -- Minority ownership of 1360 WCHL, Chapel Hill's only local radio station, has been sold to Barry Leffler, general manager of NBC-17 (WNCN-TV), and plans are to sell complete ownership at a later date.
Announcement of the sale was made Friday by the station's longtime and current majority owner, Jim Heavner.
Leffler will assume the roles of CEO and managing partner. Heavner will continue as chairman.
"This is a major and, I think, historic move for Chapel Hill-Carrboro's radio station," said Heavner. "It represents the culmination of a process to which I committed when we returned WCHL to the community in 2002 to provide for long-term local ownership. It is impossible for me to imagine a more capable successor than Barry Leffler, who brings a lifetime of broadcast experience, personal leadership, creativity and commitment to WCHL and this community."
Leffler said the company needs to keep pace with fast-changing industry trends.
"I am grateful for this opportunity. WCHL has a unique legacy of service which is only fitting for this unique community," he said. "Our need to communicate has not changed, but communications media are changing. And it is happening rapidly. This presents us with enormous opportunities to develop integrated local media to create a new "medium of record" for Chapel Hill-Carrboro and the growing surrounding areas. That is my objective."
Leffler said the station is doing well.
"Our goal is to use its wonderful resources and reputation for quality as a platform to build the new community medium for tomorrow," he said. "To have Jim Heavner as a partner during the coming years of transition gives us the combination of his history and success and my commitment to make what we do an integrated component of community life."
