DEAL STRUCK: Atlantic Radio (owner of WRKO-AM, WHDH-AM and WBMX-FM) formally inked its merger yesterday with Stoner Broadcasting and Multi Market Communications. The new company, called American Radio Systems, will operate initially in Boston, Hartford, Buffalo, N.Y., Rochester, N.Y., Binghamton, N.Y., Dayton, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa and Louisville, Ky., with duopolies in five of those markets.

Election coverage on Channel 5 will run though the evening beginning at 6. Once polls close at 8, Channel 5 will offer exit-poll results and updates during regularly scheduled programming. Chet Curtis and Natalie Jacobson will anchor, joined by analysts George Bachrach and Micho Spring.