Zoe Communications Adds Two in Northwestern Wisconsin

Northwestern Wisconsin’s Zoe Communications is buying the two radio stations in Ladysmith, adding to its group in the region.

The deal includes Classic Hits outlet WJBL/93.1, which uses 4.9kW/109m (class A), and 1kW CBS Sports Radio affiliate WLDY/1340. A document filed with the FCC application to transfer the licenses indicates Zoe is paying Randy Hudzinski’s Flambeau Broadcasting $100,000 for the stations.

Zoe has already begun operating the stations under a local marketing agreement. The company has a track record of switching stations to locally-originated formats and improving their on-air sound.

Ladysmith is about 45 miles north of Eau Claire. Other than a Christian radio translator, WJBL and WLDY are the only stations within Rusk County, which has a population of about 15,000.

Shell Lake-based Zoe, owned by Mike Oberg and George Manus, owns nine other full-power stations and five translators serving the Rice Lake, Spooner, Hayward, Siren, Amery, and Baldwin areas.