Nebraska Public Media is buying a radio station in the Omaha market, extending its radio network to the state’s largest city for the first time.
On Feb. 2, the state-owned network announced plans to buy KOOO/101.9 (La Vista-Omaha) from NRG Media. The purchase price is $1.2 million, according to an asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC on Feb. 4.
Separately, NRG is selling the rest of its Omaha group to Usher Media. It sold another Omaha-market station last year.
NPM operates a PBS network reaching the entire state, including KYNE/26.1 (Omaha), while its NPR radio network reaches every part of the state except Omaha.
“The opportunity to acquire a station in Omaha advances our long-standing mission to operate truly statewide networks. We are excited to deepen our investment in the Omaha community with radio programming that reflects our dedication to public service and telling Nebraska’s story,” Stacey Decker, NPM GM and CEO, said in a news release.
Besides providing new service to Omaha, the addition of 101.9 gives NPM the benefit of a second signal reaching Lincoln. KOOO was originally licensed to Lincoln and has a transmitter site between Lincoln and Omaha, delivering a strong signal to both cities.
The news release said 101.9 will carry News/Talk programming during the day and Adult Alternative at night. The musical format is described as “an eclectic blend of rock, blues, world, folk and alternative country music from both contemporary and heritage artists.”
Exact plans for News/Talk programming were not announced. NPR’s flagship programming is already carried in Omaha on the Douglas County School District’s KIOS-FM/91.5, while Iowa Western Community College’s KIWR/89.7 runs an Adult Alternative format.
Omaha’s third public radio station, KVNO/90.7, is owned by University of Nebraska Board of Regents and carries Classical music.
Meanwhile, NPM’s radio network carries NPR’s “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” with Classical music at most other times. Its HD2 service offers News/Talk programming during the day and Jazz at night. It does not currently produce any Adult Alternative programming.
KOOO currently carries a Classic Hits format as “The Keg.”