Midwest-Family to sell Springfield radio stations

Woodward Communications, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire four radio stations from Mid-West Family that serve the Springfield marketplace: WNNS-FM, WQLZ-FM, WMAY-FM and WMAY-AM.

WCI previously acquired four radio stations from Neuhoff Media that also serve the Springfield area WXAJ-FM, WFMB-FM, WCVS-FM and WFMB-AM. That transaction was completed Oct. 1.

“We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to integrating Mid-West’s solid brands into our Springfield operations. 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,” said Tom Woodward, CEO and president of WCI.

Kevin O’Dea, market manager for Woodward’s Springfield marketplace, will continue in his role. O’Dea began his radio career in 1978 as an account executive with Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s WMAY-AM in Springfield, and recently was awarded the Illinois Broadcaster Association’s 2024 “Vincent T. Wasilewski Broadcaster of the Year.” O’Dea will continue to report to Kelly Radandt, overall marketing manager for both of WCI’s radio groups based in Appleton, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

In order to conform with FCC ownership rules, Woodward has entered into an agreement to divest WCVS-FM.

WCI also has entered into agreements to divest two of its recently acquired radio stations in Bloomington, IL: WIHN and WWHX. Further, WCI has entered into a Local Marketing Agreement with Great Plains Media to operate WBBE. Great Plains Media currently owns and operates three radio stations in Bloomington. WCI stated the divestitures and the LMA agreement in Bloomington will allow it to better focus its resources in the Springfield marketplace.

Pending FCC approval, WCI anticipates officially completing the acquisition of the Mid-West Family Springfield stations as well as the related divestitures and the LMA in the respective markets.

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.