Civic Media has revealed programming plans for three signals it’s buying from the Milwaukee Radio Alliance.
An asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC on Sept. 9 indicates Civic will pay $465,000 for WZTI/1290 (Greenfield-Milwaukee), W262CJ/100.3 (Milwaukee), and W297BY/107.3 (Franklin).
The filing also indicates Civic will begin operating the stations on Sept. 17 under a time brokerage agreement.
In a Sept. 10 news release, Civic said W262CJ will relay its WAUK/540 (Jackson-Milwaukee), giving its statewide News/Talk network a strong FM signal in downtown Milwaukee for the first time. WAUK is also relayed on W266DR/101.1 (Waukesha).
Meanwhile, WZTI and W297BY will simulcast the full-service Oldies format of Civic’s WRJN/1400 (Racine), which is also heard on FM translators in Racine and Kenosha. W297BY transmits from Oak Creek with a coverage area stretching from Cudahy to Racine.
The sale of WZTI and the translators follows news that K-Love Inc. is buying the Milwaukee Radio Alliance’s two largest signals, WLDB/93.3 and WLUM/102.1. Since last November, W262CJ and W297BY have been carrying a “Froggy Country” format that originates on WLDB-HD3.
WZTI had carried Oldies as “Fonz” until flood damage forced the station off the air Aug. 10; it continues to stream online. In its news release, Civic said, “a new transmitter is being installed this week with the expectation to resume broadcasting shortly.”
(In a formality, WZTI submitted an FCC filing on Sept. 10 requesting special temporary authority to remain off the air. The filing is required for stations off the air for more than 30 days.)
“We’re thrilled to expand our presence in Milwaukee, our largest metro market,” Civic Media Regional President Chris Moreau said in the news release. “These acquisitions allow us to better serve listeners across southeastern Wisconsin with our commitment to local news coverage and quality programming. The extended coverage area creates exciting opportunities for both our audience and advertising partners.”
The news release also quoted Civic Media Vice President of Programming Aaron Carreno as saying, “We’re working on some exciting enhancements to further improve the WAUK listening experience that we’ll share when they’re ready. Our goal is to provide Milwaukee area listeners with the local focus and familiar programming they’ve come to expect from Civic Media.”
Madison-based Civic owns 21 full-power radio stations around Wisconsin. Civic also owns two stations in Minnesota and is partnering with another group to buy five stations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
This item was first posted on Sept. 9 and was updated Sept. 10 with Civic’s news release and the new FCC filing.