Lost Coast Communications

What Lost Coast Communications does

Lost Coast Communications, Inc. is a founder-owned, multi-platform local media company headquartered in Eureka, California, serving Humboldt County since 1996. It operates four terrestrial FM radio stations — KHUM (freeform), KSLG (indie rock), KWPT/The Point (classic rock), and KLGE/94.1 The Lounge (adult contemporary / American Songbook) — alongside the Lost Coast Outpost (LoCO) digital news property and a programmatic digital advertising offering called Targeted Digital Solutions. The company also runs two community-facing assets that are not direct revenue generators: Humboldt Paws Cause, a free pet-reunification service that has broadcast across all four stations since 2012, and Carole's Critters, an annual animal-shelter adoption fundraiser held at Blue Lake Casino.

The underlying technology stack is commodity rather than proprietary. Radio advertising is delivered via FCC-licensed FM broadcast; digital advertising on LoCO is trafficked through Google AdManager, while the broader Targeted Digital Solutions product (display, streaming audio, OTT video, geofencing, Connected TV, social) runs on the third-party NXT platform. Back-office operations use Marketron for advertising trafficking and billing, with Stripe powering self-serve invoice payment. The company's principal technical assets are its broadcast licenses, its content library across four distinct format stations, and the audience data implicit in 28 years of continuous local operation.

Revenue is generated almost entirely from local advertising sales: traditional radio spot buys billed monthly on NET30 terms (with prepay required for new accounts, event, political, and trade business), digital display and programmatic campaigns, and classifieds (LoCO Cars, LoCO Real Estate, LoCO Jobs). Customer segments are Humboldt County small and mid-sized businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profits (the latter at discounted PSA rates). GTM is sales-led through a five-rep direct sales team, supplemented by a self-serve Marketron advertiser portal and community-event sponsorship marketing. The company is privately held by founders Cliff and Amy Berkowitz, with no disclosed funding, M&A, or institutional ownership.

Name

Lost Coast Communications

Legal name

Lost Coast Communications, Inc.

Website

https://lostcoastcommunications.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lost Coast Communications is a founder-owned local media company operating four FM radio stations (KHUM, KSLG, KWPT, KLGE) and the Lost Coast Outpost digital news platform, selling integrated radio and programmatic digital advertising to small and mid-sized businesses across Humboldt County, California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Advertising

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC)

Keywords

• Radio broadcasting
• Local advertising
• Digital advertising
• Community media
• Radio stations

Headquarters

HQ city

Ferndale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Radio Advertising: Broadcast advertising on four radio stations (KHUM, KSLG, KWPT, KLGE) with varying audience demographics including freeform, indie rock, classic rock, and lounge music formats.
2. Digital Advertising: Web-based advertising on Lost Coast Outpost including display ads, sponsored content, ad takeovers, and targeted digital campaigns using the NXT platform and Google AdManager.
3. Community Services: Discounted PSA rates for 501(c)3 non-profits; Humboldt Paws Cause is provided as a free community service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lost Coast Communications operates four locally programmed radio stations (KHUM, KSLG, KWPT, KLGE) and the Lost Coast Outpost digital news platform, selling traditional and targeted digital advertising to local Humboldt County businesses and organizations. Its offerings span broadcast radio spots, display and sponsored content on LoCO, classifieds listings (LoCO Cars, LoCO Real Estate, LoCO Jobs), geofenced and programmatic digital campaigns via the NXT Platform, and community programs such as Humboldt Paws Cause and Carole's Critters.

Product overview

Lost Coast Communications operates a multi-platform media company in Humboldt County, California. The core offering consists of four radio stations (KHUM, KSLG, KWPT/The Point, and KLGE/94.1 The Lounge) delivering freeform, classic rock, indie, and easy listening formats. Digital operations center on the Lost Coast Outpost (LoCO) news website and a Targeted Digital Solutions platform powered by NXT. The portfolio includes classifieds services (LoCO Cars, LoCO Real Estate, LoCO Jobs), Web Ads with included graphic design, and community-focused initiatives like Humboldt Paws Cause (pet reunification) and Carole's Critters (animal shelter fundraising). Advertising solutions range from traditional radio spots to targeted digital campaigns with capabilities including geofencing, streaming audio, Connected TV, and social display ads.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lost Coast Outpost (LoCO): Humboldt County's home page - a digital news website covering local news, events, and community information in Humboldt County, California.

Products and services

• KHUM Radio Station Freeform radio station branded as the 'Voice of Humboldt County,' playing eclectic music reflecting the unique tastes of the Humboldt County community. Founded in 1996 by Cliff and Amy Berkowitz.
• KSLG Radio Station New and indie rock radio station nicknamed 'K-Slug,' featuring up-to-date news and information alongside curated new music.
• KWPT Radio Station (The Point) Classic rock radio station targeting Adults 35-64 with a male skew, featuring rock from the 60s and 70s with 80s and 90s additions plus Motown hits, known for a strong local business following.
• KLGE Radio Station (94.1 The Lounge) Adult contemporary/easy listening station featuring American Songbook standards mixed with contemporary artists like Pink Martini and Morphine, targeting an educated, affluent, and sophisticated listenership.
• Lost Coast Outpost (LoCO) Humboldt County's primary local news website offering news, community information, breaking news, investigative reporting, entertainment content, classifieds, and digital advertising inventory, serving as the region's 'home page.'
• Targeted Digital Solutions Digital advertising platform powered by NXT enabling targeted ads based on demographics, interests, and location. Includes display ads, streaming audio, OTT video, geofencing, location-based retargeting, LinkedIn, YouTube, Meta, Connected TV, search engine marketing, and email marketing.
• Web Ads Locally produced animated and static web banner ads for the Lost Coast Outpost, offering fast turnaround, easy updates, and graphic design included with the advertising buy.
• Public Service Announcements (PSA) Discounted advertising rates for 501(c)(3) non-profits to promote community events. PSAs run on all four stations up to 2 weeks prior to events.
• Humboldt Paws Cause Free community service platform for reuniting lost pets with owners. Automatically notifies all four radio stations when a lost or found pet report is filed, and includes a master map of currently lost and found pets.
• Carole's Critters Annual summer adoption fundraising event for local animal shelters, honoring deceased KWPT-FM deejay Carole Ann Morgal, featuring live music, food vendors, and pet adoption opportunities.
• LoCO Cars Automotive classifieds service for listing vehicles for sale on the Lost Coast Outpost.
• LoCO Real Estate Real estate listings service reaching Humboldt County homebuyers through the Lost Coast Outpost.
• LoCO Jobs Employment classifieds platform connecting Humboldt employers with prospective employees through the Lost Coast Outpost.
• Sponsored Content Full-page news-style editorial content about a client's business, published on the Lost Coast Outpost.
• Client's Landing Page Custom dedicated website creation service for businesses without an existing web presence, offered as part of the advertising package.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blue Lake Casino HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual host venue for Carole's Critters pet adoption and fundraiser event held at the Sapphire Palace at Blue Lake Casino. Partnership provides location for community event serving local animal shelters.
• Humboldt County Animal RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal animal shelter participating in annual Carole's Critters adoption event, receiving proceeds from gate and 50/50 raffle donations.
• Friends for Life Animal RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRescue organization administering the Humboldt County Animal Shelter Emergency Medical Fund, beneficiary of Carole's Critters event proceeds.
• Companion Animal FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal animal shelter participating in Carole's Critters adoption event.
• Two Rivers Pet & Wildlife ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal animal services participating in Carole's Critters adoption event.
• Sequoia Humane SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal animal shelter participating in Carole's Critters adoption event.
• MarketroncoreTechnology or IntegrationAdvertising trafficking and billing system used for e-invoicing and advertiser portal management.
• Google AdManagercoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital advertising platform used for the Lost Coast Outpost website serving display ads.
• NXT PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital advertising platform used for expanded digital solutions including targeted ads, geofencing, and programmatic advertising.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Redwood Community Radio: Operates KZRH and KHSU as community/non-commercial radio stations serving Humboldt County. Most direct comparable as a fellow local Humboldt County broadcaster competing for the same listenership and overlapping community programming niche.
• Bicoastal Media: Operates clusters of small-market radio stations along the California and Oregon coast. Comparable as a similarly-sized independent station group focused on rural/coastal small markets with multi-station portfolios and local sales teams.
• Cherry Creek Radio: Privately held operator of small-market radio stations across the western U.S. Comparable as an independent small-market station group with multi-format local clusters and similar SMB advertiser mix.

Broad incumbents

• Townsquare Media: Operates a large portfolio of local radio stations and digital properties across small and mid-sized U.S. markets. Comparable business model (local radio + digital local ads) at significantly greater scale, competing for the same SMB advertisers in similar markets.
• Alpha Media: Operates hundreds of radio stations across mid and small U.S. markets. Comparable multi-format local radio strategy with growing digital advertising offerings targeting the same SMB advertiser base.
• iHeartMedia: Largest U.S. radio broadcaster with extensive local-market presence and iHeart digital advertising platform. Competes for the same local ad budgets; LCCi differentiates via community focus and independent ownership.
• Saga Communications: Operates radio stations in small and mid-sized U.S. markets with format specialization. Comparable as a station group operating in similar small-market environments with comparable cost structures.
• Salem Communications: Multi-format radio broadcaster with concentrations in news/talk and Christian programming plus digital properties. Comparable multi-station operator with parallel SMB-focused local ad sales motion.
• Beasley Media Group: Operates radio stations in mid-sized U.S. markets with growing digital capabilities. Comparable integrated radio-plus-digital strategy serving similar SMB advertisers.

Emerging players

• Educational Media Foundation (EMF Broadcasting): Operates the K-LOVE and Air1 radio networks with hundreds of translator stations including in Humboldt County. Comparable as a competing broadcaster in the same market, differentiated by non-commercial/network-affiliated model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/lcoutpost
• Facebookfacebook.com/lostcoastcommunications
• Instagraminstagram.com/lostcoastcommunications

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lost Coast Communications