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.