VIRGINIA FIRM BUYS FOX STATION KBSI

Max Television Co., a multi-station radio and TV broadcast company headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., has purchased KBSI-TV, the Fox Network affiliate in Cape Girardeau.

The local station, owned by Engles Communications Inc., will change ownership upon FCC approval, which is expected by early summer.

Steven Engles, who acquired KBSI-TV in 1989, said selling the station was not in his plans but made good business sense when the opportunity came along.

"It'll be good for Cape Girardeau," he said. "The Max company is a well-respected one in the industry, and it will take KBSI-TV to the next plateau. They can do things as a multi-station group that I am unable to provide as a single-station operator."

Engles said his present plans are to go to California to purchase a group of radio stations.

The sale of KBSI will not change the station's community involvement, Engles emphasized. "Our local sports programming and personnel will remain the same."

He is familiar with the Max company, having previously managed the company's Richmond, Va. station.

Max was founded as TVX Corp in 1980 by Gene Loving and John Trinder, with the original station at Norfolk, Va. TVX sold its company to Paramount in 1991, and started building another group as Max Television Co.

"Max is in an active acquisition mode," said Engles. "Cape Girardeau is very fortunate that the company had an interest in KBSI and purchased it."

KBSI-TV, which serves areas in four states-- Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky and Northwest Tennessee -- was selected by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce as Small Business of the Year in 1994.

KBSI-TV started broadcasting in September 1983 as the area's first independent television station. The company grew quickly in revenue and audience share, but in 1987 corporate owner Media Central declared bankruptcy.

"The station floundered through the next three years," said Engles. In December 1989, Engles Communications acquired the station from the federal bankruptcy court.

The station was equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and programming was added to attract family, children and sports audiences.

The company purchased telecast rights to Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois and Murray State basketball and football, and to other sports events.

KBSI-TV reaches a potential audience of more than 350,000 viewers.

Being active in community affairs has paid big dividends for KBSI-TV and the communities it serves, Engles said. The station is involved as a sponsor of the Southeast Missouri District Fair and Fourth of July activities and many other events in Cape Girardeau, in Murray and Paducah in Kentucky, Mount Vernon and DuQuoin in Illinois and Poplar Bluff.