Stephen King's love affair with local radio is coming to an end as he announces the closure of three Maine radio stations by December 31, 2025. The stations - WKIT 100.3 FM, WZLO 620 AM, and WZON 103.1 FM - have been independently operated under King's ownership for decades.

King, who first purchased WZON (named after his novel 'The Dead Zone') and later acquired the other stations, expressed pride in maintaining independent local broadcasting amid corporate consolidation. "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 stated.

General manager Ken Wood revealed that the stations consistently operated at a loss, with King personally covering the deficits. Now at 77, King feels it's time to "get his business affairs in better order."

The closure reflects broader industry challenges, as even major players like iHeartMedia face difficulties. Wood noted, "Independent, locally owned radio stations used to be the norm. There's only a few left in Maine, and we're lucky we had these three as long as we did."

King's commitment to local broadcasting stemmed from his passion for rock and roll and desire to serve the Bangor community. His departure marks the end of one of Maine's few remaining independently owned radio stations, following a nationwide trend of corporate consolidation in broadcasting.

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