User blog:Cbcarter34/Flinn, Barnes, Tunica, Evans, & Chestnut to merge

Yesterday, Flinn Broadcasting, Barnes Communications, Evans Communications, Tunica Communications, and Chestnut Broadcasting announced that they're merging into one company, with Tunica Communications president Ronnie Kingston as the CEO of of the new compnay, which is going to be called Alltel Communications.

"(Chestnut Broadcasting CEO) Ralph Simpson brought to my attention that we need to merge to compete with the Adelphias and Youngs and BeloOnes of the world. I was hesitate at first, but after our discussion, I decided that it would be the best if we go ahead and merge into one media company," Kingston said.

The total number of stations owned by Alltel is going to be at 176 stations, with Tunica Communications owning the largest at 58 stations.