Woodward Bulking Up In Springfield
• Woodward Communications, Inc. (WCI) is seriously increasing its fairly fresh footprint the Springfield, IL market with the pending acquisition of four radio stations from Mid-West Family — Hot AC 98.7 WNNS-FM, Active Rock 97.7 WQLZ-FM, News-Talk 92.7 WMAY-FM, and Classic Hits WMAY-AM 970 (102.5 The Lake). The transaction also includes two FM translators that help power WMAY-AM: W273DR (102.5)/Springfield, and W234CC (94.7)/Sherman, IL.
Last month WCI officially entered the Springfield market with the purchase of four radio stations — Hot AC WXAJ-FM (99.7 The Mix), Country 104.5 WFMB-FM, Adult Hits WCVS-FM (96.7 Bob FM), and Sports-Talk 1450 WFMB-AM — from Neuhoff Media, which has exited the radio industry. To conform with FCC ownership rules, Woodward has entered into an agreement to divest WCVS-FM.
“We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to integrating Mid-West’s solid brands into our Springfield operations,” said Tom Woodward, Pres./CEO of WCI. “Over a period of time our plan is to co-locate all of the stations and related operations into Mid-West Family’s current office and studios, which we believe will create synergies that will benefit our employee owners, our customers, and the community.”
Kevin O’Dea, Market Manager for Woodward’s Springfield market, will remain in his role and continue to report to Kelly Radandt, Market Manager for both of WCI’s radio groups based in Appleton, WI and Illinois.
• On a related note, WCI also has entered into agreements to divest two of its recently acquired radio stations in Bloomington, IL: WIHN and WWHX. WCI has also entered into an LMA with Great Plains Media to operate 97.9 WBBE-FM. Great Plains Media currently owns and operates three radio stations in Bloomington, IL. All the above transactions, naturally, are subject to FCC approval.
Greg Guy of Tideline Partners advised WCI on the acquisition of Mid-West Family, the divestitures and LMA. Bob Heymann Jr., Managing Director of Media Services Group — Chicago, advised Mid-West Family.
