Willmar Radio Group Sold to Linder-Ketelsen Partnership

Posted on by Jon Ellis

A group of radio stations in Willmar is getting new owners with familiar names: Steven Linder’s Lakeland Broadcasting Co. is selling the stations to Lakeland Media LLC, owned by J. David Linder and Lynn Ketelsen.

Currently, Lakeland Broadcasting owns News/Talker KWLM/1340 (Willmar), Hot AC “Q102” (KQIC/102.5 Willmar), and Classic Hits-formatted “106.5 The Train” (KLFN Sunburg-Willmar), along with KWLM translators K242CF/96.3 (Willmar) and K266CM/101.1 (Sunburg). Steven Linder owns 100% of the company.

Meanwhile, Bold Radio owns “Big Country 100.1” (KOLV Olivia-Willmar), which is operated by Lakeland through a local marketing agreement. Bold Radio is a three-way partnership of Steven Linder, J. David Linder, and Ketelsen.

According to an asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC, Lakeland Media will buy the Lakeland Broadcasting stations for $1.525 million. Lakeland Media is owned by J. David Linder’s Seagrape Trust (50%) and Lynn Ketelsen’s Ketelsen Media (50%); Matt Ketelsen is also a manager for the company.

Separately, Seagrape Trust and Ketelsen will buy out Steven Linder’s shares in Bold Radio for $425,000.

Though the companies will have the same ownership structure once the transactions are complete, KOLV will remain licensed to Bold Radio while the other stations will be owned by Lakeland Media. The deal continues the LMA to operate KOLV.

According to documents filed with the FCC, Steven Linder will receive several other payments:

  • A non-compete agreement includes monthly payments of $12,500 beginning one year after FCC approval and continuing for four years
  • A $442,635.22 goodwill payment
  • Purchase of 8.51 acres of vacant land from Steven and Nancy Linder for $150,000
  • The sale of shares in the Linder Farm Network for an undisclosed amount

The stations said in a news article on their website that the sale “will bring new opportunities for content and ideas to continue to grow programming and advertising services.”

J. David Linder and Ketelsen also hold varying interests in several companies that own 20 other radio stations in Minnesota, including Subarctic Media, Main Street Broadcasting, Blooming Prairie Farm Radio, City of Lakes Media, and Twin Ports Radio.

KWLM has been in the Linder family for its entire history. According to the station’s website, Harry Linder signed the station on in 1940 and Steve Linder took over operations in 1990.

The Lakeland stations compete in Willmar with three Ingstad Media stations.