Civic Media Buys Baraboo Stations, Licenses “Max FM” Branding

Rapidly-growing Wisconsin broadcaster Civic Media is buying an AM station and two associated FM translators in the Baraboo area, as well as the rights to keep their current branding.

An asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC on Jan. 27 indicates Civic Media will pay Baraboo Broadcasting Corporation $400,000 for WRPQ/740 (Baraboo), W259BC/99.7 (Baraboo), and W279EG/103.7 (Baraboo-Reedsburg). The stations run a locally-programmed `80s and `90s Hits format as “Max FM.”

Baraboo Broadcasting, headed by Kelly Martinson, will retain its low-power TV station in Baraboo, construction permits for three new LPTV stations, and a monthly newspaper. The asset purchase agreement states the seller will also retain ownership of the land on which the WRPQ tower sits, though the tower itself will be sold to Civic.

The agreement states that Civic will license WRPQ’s current “Max FM” branding and formatics. It will employ morning host Maddy Jones as well as Martinson, who goes by the on-air name Kory Hartman.

WRPQ is officially considered to be part of the Madison radio market but neither the AM station nor the FM translators provide a city-grade signal to the capital itself. Civic also recently received FCC approval for its purchase of WTTN/1580 (Columbus), which is also within the Madison market, as well as its FM translator.

Civic Media is owned by Sage Weil, who owns 90% of the company. Michael Crute owns 10%.

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Previous coverage:

• Civic Media Buys Northern Wisconsin Duo (6/7/23)
• Civic’s Talk Network Launches in Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Racine (6/5/23)
• Civic Media Launches Classic Hits Format on Revived WCFW (6/5/23)
• Civic Media Buys 7 Wis. Radio Signals from Magnum (2/17/23)
• Civic Media Buys Baraboo Stations, Licenses “Max FM” Branding (1/29/23)
• Civic Media Adds Green Bay Signal to Liberal Talk Network (1/18/23)
• Civic Media Buys Madison-Market Station (12/5/22)
• Civic Media Buys Milwaukee-Market Liberal Talker (11/2/22)
• Oshkosh is Latest City to Get Wisconsin Liberal Talk Format (10/6/22)
• Civic Media Continues Buying Spree with NE Wis. Stations (9/23/22)
• Liberal Talk Lineup Launches in Richland Center, Wis. (9/16/22)
• Civic Media Adds Several NW Wis. Stations for Liberal Talk Network (9/13/22)
• FM Station Also Included in Civic Media’s Wisconsin Rapids Purchase (8/2/22)
• Update: Liberal Talk Lineups Launch in Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids (8/1/22)
• New Company Buys More Wisconsin Radio Stations (7/27/22)
• New Radio Company Buys Several Wisconsin Stations (7/13/22)