Woodward Communications is acquiring a second cluster in Springfield IL and divesting its recently purchased stations in Bloomington IL.
Woodward closed on its $4.3 purchase of Neuhoff Media’s seven stations in those markets last month. In Springfield, Woodward will acquire Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s News/Talk 92.7 WMAY-FM, Rock 97.7 WQLZ, AC 98.7 WNNS, and Classic Hits “102.5 The Lake” 970 WMAY/94.7 W234CC/102.5 W273DR to join its existing cluster of Hot AC “99.7 The Mix” WXAJ, Country 104.5 WFMB-FM, “Sports Radio 92.3” 1450 WFMB. The company will spinoff Variety Hits “96.7 Bob-FM” WCVS-FM to stay within the ownership caps. Terms were not disclosed.
In Bloomington, Great Plains Media will expand with the LMA of Variety Hits “97.9 Bob-FM” WBBE from Woodward. The company already owns Conservative Talk “Cities 92.9” WRPW, AC “Magic 99.5” WZIM and Country “107.7 The Bull” WIBL/92.1 W221CY. The company’s other two stations, “Rock 96.7” WIHN and Hot AC “Now 100.7” WWHX are being divested to undisclosed operators.
Woodward Communications President/CEO Tom Woodward said, “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.”
Woodward Springfield Market Manager Kevin O’Dea will oversee the combined Springfield cluster. O’Dea began his radio career in 1978 as an Account Executive with Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s WMAY 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 WI and Illinois.
Greg Guy of Tideline Partners advised Woodward 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.
