Stephen King's Maine radio stations - WKIT 100.3 FM, WZLO 620 AM, and WZON 103.1 FM - will cease broadcasting on December 31, 2025, after decades of operation under the author's ownership.

King and his wife Tabitha expressed pride in maintaining independent, locally-owned radio stations while most of the industry consolidated under corporate ownership. The author initially purchased WZON, naming it after his novel 'The Dead Zone,' before acquiring additional stations in 1990.

According to general manager Ken Wood, the stations consistently operated at a loss, with King personally covering the deficits. Wood, who managed the station group for ten years, noted the rarity of independent radio stations in Maine, saying "There's only a few left in Maine, and we're lucky we had these three as long as we did."

The closure comes as King, now 77, aims to streamline his business affairs. The announcement coincides with broader industry challenges, exemplified by iHeartMedia's recent restructuring that resulted in hundreds of job cuts nationwide.

"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, expressing gratitude to the staff who entertained listeners and served local advertisers throughout the stations' operations.

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