David Wiessman set to buy 99 FM

Businessmen Eli Azur and David "Dudi" Wiessman are working to expand their media empire, with a bid to buy the 99 FM radio station from Arcadi Gaydamak. The acquisition is expected to go through 103 FM Radio Lelo Hafsaka, which is owned by Wiessman, Azur and other shareholders.

No contract has been signed so far, but the negotiations are in the advanced stages. The deal will need to get the approval of the Second Authority for Television and Radio, which is expected to be a cakewalk. It should be noted, however, that Gaydamak is known for his ability to change his mind overnight - witness his decision to buy the Tiv Taam grocery chain and his rapid volte-face.

Gaydamak also talked with the owners of other regional radio stations about 99 FM, and they could resurface if the Azur-Wiessman deal doesn't pan out. Gaydamak bought the station about two years ago for some $2 million. The prospective owners are expected to pay less, since the station will be competing for the Sharon-area radio tender and may not hold on to its franchise. According to press releases issued over the past few months, the station is turning a profit, but industry sources say that's just not possible.

The sale was prompted by Gaydamak's decision to run for mayor of Jerusalem. In June the Second Authority ordered the tycoon to sell his shares in the station in order to avoid any conflict of interest. Now Gaydamak appears to be liquidating all his business interests in Israel as part of his preparations for a try at public office.

Wiessman's group owns the Dor Alon energy company and Blue Square, the country's second-largest retail operator, with the Mega, Mega Center and Blue Center supermarket chains as well as the Eden Nature natural food chain and the Shefa Shuk grocery chain, which targets the ultra-Orthodox market.

Radio Lelo Hafsaka is owned by Wiessman (33%), Azur (32%), the Club Hotel chain (22.91%) and Amnon Dick (12.09%). Azur has his thumb in outdoor advertising companies, the Russian-language weekly Novosti Nedeli, and Sport 1 and Sport 2 television channel owner Charleston. He also ows the Jerusalem Post and is the Israeli distributor of the Wall Street Journal.

Wiessman and Azur's other joint projects include the free Hebrew daily Israel Post, distributed at Blue Square and Dor Alon outlets.

For quick deciders

Gaydamak's Ocif company is in advanced negotiations to sell six of the highest penthouse apartments in the country, in of Moshe Aviv Tower (Sha'ar Ha'ir) in Ramat Gan - for the low-low bargain price of NIS 37 million.