Zimmer Communications and Mid-West Family Broadcasting has announced plans to merge their clusters in Springfield MO into one operation managed by Zimmer.
Zimmer Midwest Communications will pay $1,241,443.90 for the MWFB Springfield cluster to be paid in one hundred monthly installments of $12,414.44. The subsidiary of Zimmer, which acquired its Springfield cluster in 2020, is 33.3% owned by John Zimmer, Donald Zimmer, and Mid-West Family Broadcasting Chairman Tom Walker. Walker placed his 12% stake in MWFB’s Springfield properties in a trust at the time of that deal.
Zimmer states that combining the clusters will increase its percentage of market revenue from 8.5% to 33.6%, which would still trail SummitMedia’s 34.8% market revenue share but allow it to surpass iHeartMedia’s 29.8%. It also notes that SummitMedia Country 94.7 KTTS alone makes up 20% of the local revenue.
Original Report 7/29: Pending FCC approval, Zimmer will manage nine stations in the market as the deal combines MWFB’s Rock “Q92.9” KQRA, Sports Betting “102.1 The Won” KOSP, Classic Rock “104.7 The Cave” KKLH, and Classic Country “105.1 The Bull” KOMG with Zimmer’s Country “93.7 The Stage” KZMO, Soft AC “98.7 The Dove” KTXR, Classic Country “Real Country 101.3” KWTO-FM, News/Talk 560/93.3 KWTO, and Sports “96.9 The Jock” 1060 KBFL.
Zimmer President John Zimmer said, “This is an exciting opportunity to bring together two organizations that share the same values and a deep commitment to local broadcasting. Both companies have built their reputations by serving local businesses, supporting our communities, and investing in exceptional employees. By combining our strengths, we’ll be able to offer advertisers even more effective marketing solutions while continuing to provide the trusted local content our audiences rely on. We’re excited about the future and look forward to building on the strong legacies of both organizations.”
Mid-West Family President Mike Paterson commented, “After more than 35 years of ownership in the Springfield market, partnering with another legendary Missouri ownership group to create the next chapter of local media service to our communities is incredibly exciting,” said Mike Paterson. “As the local radio and media landscape continues to evolve, bringing these two organizations together creates even greater opportunities for our advertising partners, our communities, and especially our employees who have helped make both companies successful.”
