Civic Media Expands Into Michigan’s U.P.

• Wisconsin-based Civic Media is expanding its broadcast footprint into the great state of Michigan, as the company has filed an asset purchase agreement with the FCC for the acquisition of a five-station, three-city cluster of stations in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula from J&J Broadcasting, headquartered in Iron River, WI.

The stations included the deal are Classic Country WJMS-AM 590 & W221EH (92.1) & Classic Rock WIMI (99.7 The Storm)/Ironwood, MI; Country WUPY (Y101.1)/Ontonagon, MI; and Hot AC WKMJ (Mix 93.5) & News-Talk-Sports WMPL (920 AM/107.7 FM)/Hancock-Houghton, MI. This purchase will be completed by the newly-formed Michigan Civic Media Alliance, which will be led by Civic Media with additional support and investment from the Michigan Independent Media Group (MIMG).

Civic Media CEO Sage Weil said, “At Civic Media we believe in the importance of local media, and investing in rural areas where quality news and information is too often hard to come by. We are excited by this opportunity to expand our network into the upper peninsula.” VP of Operations Kory Hartmann noted, “These heritage radio stations have served their local communities for years and are strong partners with local businesses and organizations. We intend to continue that legacy of service and add a wider array of products to keep people in touch with their community.”

MIMG General Partner Jason Franklin remarked, “MIMG’s launch was inspired in part by Civic Media’s leadership in sustaining independent media in Wisconsin. We’re excited to be formally partnering with them for their first expansion into the great state of Michigan and to work with them to preserve and expand vibrant local media across our state.”

Jerry Hackman, President of J&J Broadcasting, commented, “We are very pleased to announce the sale of the stations, and we could not be more pleased with the buyer. We are very comfortable turning over the customer and employee relationships over to Civic Media as they have made great strides in just a short time, and they continue to stress the importance of local and small town radio.  I’d like to sincerely thank everyone that has supported us in various ways over the last 42 years.”

Upon final approval of the J&J purchase, Civic Media will operate 23 stations in Wisconsin, two in northern Minnesota, and five in Michigan.