Riverfront Broadcasting LLC History

 

Based in Yankton, SD, Riverfront Broadcasting, LLC, is the culmination of years of radio sales, management, and tech-based expertise which has allowed Riverfront Broadcasting to cement their position as a family-owned company specializing in small communities while building the economic base in those communities and promoting a positive attitude through their work with the local businesses and organizations.

In September of 2004, Doyle and Carolyn Becker purchased KNCY-AM and KNCY-FM in Nebraska City, NE and started a family-owned and operated company – a company that was ready to expand soon after the Becker’s were comfortable with the success of their flagship

After four years of growth in Nebraska, Riverfront Broadcasting was ready for expansion, so they set their sights on properties closer to home. KYNT-AM and KKYA-FM in Yankton, SD, KORN-AM and KQRN-FM in Mitchell, SD, and KCCR-AM and KLXS in Pierre, SD were purchased in 2008. Riverfront Broadcasting LLC was now a well-respected, highly motivated radio broadcasting group boasting four AM and four FM stations in South Dakota and Nebraska. Those eight properties were about to become nine within the next year.

In September of 2009, Riverfront Broadcasting, LLC was given the chance to purchase a construction permit from the FCC in auction 79 for the city of Hartington, NE. That CP produced KDAM-FM, and it was added to the Yankton, SD group. In July of 2010, KDAM signed-on and expanded the Riverfront Broadcasting property inventory to nine stations.

In April of 2012 they participated in another FCC auction and won the bid on a startup radio station licensed to Murdo, SD.  After two years of an interesting process, this station is now licensed to Blunt, SD and went on the air July 2014 and is part of the Pierre, SD group of stations.

In December of 2013, they sold their first two stations they purchased an AM and FM in Nebraska City, NE.

Riverfront Broadcasting LLC then purchased KZKK in Huron, SD in September 2014 and immediately started the process of relocating the stations to their Mitchell market. The city of license was changed to Parkston, SD and the power was increased from 6K to 100K. The station went on the air December 21, 2015, as KORN Country.

In January of 2015 Riverfront Broadcasting LLC decided to expand into Iowa and Riverfront Broadcasting of Iowa was formed and purchased 6 radio stations in north central Iowa in the cities of Algona KLGZ-FM and KLGA-AM, Boone KWBG-AM, Webster City KQWC-FM and KQWZ-AM, and Humboldt KHBT-FM.

The Beckers started Riverfront Communications LLC. In February 2015, a broadcast engineering company. Created to help small stations control their engineering cost.

Then in February 2016 the Beckers started Your Ag Network Inc. This was a partnership with an Ag broadcaster who has a new creative approach to Ag reporting.

In April 2016 Riverfront expanded again in Iowa to bring their station count in Iowa to 8 with stations in Keokuk IA of WCEZ and KOKX.

Riverfront Sold their 3 Mitchell radio stations to their General manager April 2017. Which was the start of them selling to their managers to keep them locally owned.

With the selling of their Mitchell station the Beckers are ready to purchase, and in July 2017 they purchased 4 stations in Minnesota. They start Riverfront Broadcasting of Minnesota LLC. Then add Windom MN KDOM-AM, and KDOM FM. And in Blue Earth MN KBEW-AM and KBEW FM.

In July 2018 they started Riverfront Entertainment LLC.

In September of 2018, they sold their Keokuk stations, again to their General Manager.

January 2019 the Beckers then sold three stations in Iowa to their Partners. They sold their Boone station and the 2 stations in Webster City.

After these two sales they then did a LMA for 5 stations in Rapid City and Spearfish SD. KDDX, KZZI, KZLK, KQRQ, and KOTA-AM. These were purchased in May 2019.

Sold Your Ag Network to their partner October 2019.

Then in January 2020 they sold their Humboldt station to their General Manager.

In July 2020 an opportunity to purchase a station in Deadwood SD happen and KDSJ-AM was added to the Riverfront Rapid City group making it now 6 stations and 4 translators.

December 2021 Sold their last two stations in IA, in Algona, again to their General Manager.

January 2023 Riverfront purchased 3 stations in Huron SD KOKK-AM, KIJV-AM, and KJVR.

With the growing Digital business, the Beckers decide to break out the digital portion of the business and started Crown Digital LLC in January 2024.

The goal of Riverfront Broadcasting LLC is to own and operate radio stations in smaller communities where we can continue to make a difference for the employees, the communities, and the clients.

Outside of radio Carolyn and Doyle love to spend time with her family and friends.  They adore their 4 children along with spending time with each other.  They like to play tennis, golf, and travel.  Doyle and Carolyn set a goal to golf in all 50 states plus DC.  That goal was completed by their 25 Anniversary. Their new goal is to golf all golf courses in South Dakota.