 In 1996, both stations were sold to the Ohio Radio Group, based in Ashland Ohio, who also owned stations WQIO and WMVO in Mount Vernon, Ohio, WNCO & WNCO-FM in Ashland, Ohio, WMAN-FM in Fredericktown, Ohio, WFXN-FM in Galion, Ohio and WXXF in Loudonville, Ohio.They would later add local WYNT in Upper Sandusky, Ohio to the group making it the largest radio ownership company in Ohio.In 2001, Ohio Radio Group was purchased by Clear Channel Communications, which had to sell two stations—WBCO and WQEL—that were purchased by Scantland Broadcasting, then current Saga Communications.