Walnut Radio pulled the plug on Country “Bluffs Country 106.5” on 1420 KXCB Omaha NE/106.5 K293CX Council Bluffs IA at the start of this month.
Launched in February 2023 to superserve Council Bluffs, the signals have returned to mostly simulcasting the regional Oldies “Boomer Radio” network based on 1490 KIBM Omaha. “Boomer In The Bluffs” will diverge from the network for six daily local newscasts, the twice daily “Belonging in the Bluffs”, a weekly segment with Council Bluffs’ mayor, and University of Iowa football.
The company stated that the transition comes after “three years of navigating a highly competitive country music landscape. By joining the Boomer Radio Network, the station aims to provide a more distinct and underserved musical alternative to the Council Bluffs and greater Omaha metropolitan area, moving away from a field crowded by multiple large-signal country broadcasters”.
Vice President of Operations Julie Hansen said, “We have spent three years competing head-to-head with two large-signal country stations in the market. By pivoting to the Boomer format, we are leaning into a proven network that resonates with our audience while maintaining the local news and sports pillars that make this station a community staple.”
In addition to KXCB/K293CX and KIBM, “Boomer Radio” is heard on KIBM rebroadcasters 94.5 K233CO and 104.1 K281DG Omaha, 97.3 KOBM-FM Blair, and 106.7 K294DJ Lincoln fed by 97.7 KBBX-HD3 Nebraska City.
