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K-Love Acquires B93.3 & FM102.1

JJSPC said:
They don't seem to be doing very well on their current two Milwaukee market signals (540/101.1). Almost all PSA's and promos filling the breaks.
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I wouldn't call those "Milwaukee" stations. They cover the western suburbs but don't really penetrate Milwaukee County. Plus, a mostly liberal talk format in the reddest area of the state is a pretty tough sell for advertising clients.

As for the talk format, I'm not sure what Sage Weil's long-term strategy is. He could probably stand to make the programming a bit more interesting. Because a talk show about education policy in the state of Wisconsin most likely has very limited appeal.

Then again, Milwaukee does fairly well with AM radio. WTMJ has lots of news and Brewers/Bucks games, and WISN has roughly 100,000 listeners who leave it on long enough to allow it to rank #1 overall due to TSL.
 
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Looks like in the agreement that Civic is going to LMA the stations as of September 17th. Wonder if they have figured out how to get the AM back and running since the translators are said to be switching back to the 1290 programming.
 
JJSPC said:
Looks like in the agreement that Civic is going to LMA the stations as of September 17th. Wonder if they have figured out how to get the AM back and running since the translators are said to be switching back to the 1290 programming.
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If WZTI isn't back up and running, they'll probably just continue using the HD3 signal of WLDB, until K-Love takes over. There could also be some more filings. Civic is very meticulous about those.

I'm guessing Civic will move the WAUK news/talk programming over to the new signals. It would obviously fit Civic's purposes like a glove. The 1290 signal is pretty good, but more importantly there's 100.3. It truly gets them into Milwaukee, minus the static of WAUK. And 107.3 allows them to get back into Racine, where they had to switch WRJN back to oldies due to listener backlash. Then, they'll need listeners. And advertisers.

As for the Jackson (540) and Waukesha (101.1) signals, well, I guess Fonz is available. But they'll probably keep the talk format.
 
I think, from what I've read here and elsewhere, that the owner of Civic Media is doing this more as a mission than as a way to raise money. And for that, I say "Good to him." There are several U.S. cities that do not, though their populations often lean and vote Democratic, have commercial radio stations reflecting the views of those populations. Philadelphia, PA, Los Angeles, CA, and Portland, OR, immediately come to mind as having this problem, and I'm sure there are many others.
 
ted chittenden said:
I think, from what I've read here and elsewhere, that the owner of Civic Media is doing this more as a mission than as a way to raise money. And for that, I say "Good to him." There are several U.S. cities that do not, though their populations often lean and vote Democratic, have commercial radio stations reflecting the views of those populations. Philadelphia, PA, Los Angeles, CA, and Portland, OR, immediately come to mind as having this problem, and I'm sure there are many others.
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@JJSPC tagging you since you mentioned their lack of ads on some of their other signals;

Civic is a public benefit corporation. I saw it mention in a post of theirs somewhere, and i dont remember where.. mightve been an old WGBW post about their format change, i think


A Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) is a legal corporate structure for a for-profit entity that is legally required to pursue a public benefit alongside profit, rather than solely maximizing shareholder wealth. PBCs must include their public benefit purpose in their formation documents and are accountable for reporting on their progress toward that mission, balancing the interests of various stakeholders with those of shareholders.

Key Characteristics
  • Dual Purpose:
    Unlike traditional corporations, PBCs have a defined public benefit purpose—such as promoting environmental or social well-being—that is legally enshrined.

  • For-Profit Status:
    A PBC is a for-profit company and is not tax-exempt like a non-profit.

  • Stakeholder Responsibility:
    Directors of a PBC are legally obligated to consider and balance the interests of their shareholders, employees, customers, and the public good.

  • Mission Accountability:
    They must submit a benefit report to shareholders, detailing their progress in advancing the public benefit purpose, though this report isn't always publicly shared.

  • Flexibility:
 
I appreciate what Civic is attempting and respect the people doing it. That being said, I wouldn't mind if their talk format was a just a degree less "civil" and a little more lively sometimes. A bit more Ed Schultz or (Madison's) Sly Sylvester wouldn't hurt.

It's one of my recurring issues with talk radio that it tends to have become either MAGA and cranky/conspiracist or NPR/NPR-lite polite to the point of dull. Some of the best comedy, satire and rock & roll has come from a left perspective, I'd like to hear that energy on a Civic Media talk show. Still, I admire their ideals.
 
Andy Travis said:
Civic impresses me. I don't know how the numbers look but when they buy something they seem to get things tuned up technically, have decent branding and presentation. I hope it continues to work out for them, and maybe having some bigger markets will also strengthen them.
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I agree - they do a really great job. I suppose this is one silver lining to the end of MRA.
 
100.3 will relay WAUK 540, and WZTI 1290 and 107.3 will simulcast with WRJN. A new transmitter for WZTI is on the way.

Civic Media Acquires Milwaukee Assets, Expands Coverage in Wisconsin’s Largest Metro Market​

Milwaukee, WI (September 10, 2025) – Civic Media has agreed to purchase WZTI-AM and two FM translators in Milwaukee from the Milwaukee Radio Alliance, marking a significant expansion in the market. The stations are targeted to launch Wednesday, September 17th, pending equipment installation and engineering coordination.
WZTI is a full-time, 5,000-watt AM broadcasting on 1290 with coverage from the north side of Racine to just south of Sheboygan, delivering a strong city-grade signal over all of Milwaukee County. While recent flooding had knocked the station off the air for the past three weeks, a new transmitter is being installed this week with the expectation to resume broadcasting shortly.
The acquisition enhances Civic Media’s regional coverage through strategic format alignment:
  • WZTI-AM 1290 and FM Translator 107.3 will simulcast “Local News and Timeless Hits” with WRJN in Racine, extending WRJN’s coverage from Waukegan, Illinois to Sheboygan, Wisconsin on AM, and from Kenosha to Oak Creek on FM.
  • WAUK will add a new 100.3 FM signal covering downtown Milwaukee and eastern suburbs, paired with the current 101.1 FM in Waukesha to provide improved audio quality across Milwaukee County.
WZTI’s most recent format was Oldies. To serve the established Oldies audience, Civic Media will continue with the proven “Local News and Timeless Hits” format that has found success in the region.
“We’re thrilled to expand our presence in Milwaukee, our largest metro market,” said Civic Media Regional President Chris Moreau. “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.”
Civic Media Vice President of Programming Aaron Carreno added, “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.”
The transaction is subject to FCC approval, which typically takes about two months to complete.

civicmedia.us

Civic Media Acquires Milwaukee Assets, Expands Coverage in Wisconsin’s Largest Metro Market

Milwaukee, WI (September 10, 2025) – Civic Media has agreed to purchase WZTI-AM and two FM translators in Milwaukee from the Milwaukee Radio Alliance, marking a significant expansion in the market. The stations are targeted to launch Wednesday, September 17th, pending equipment installation and...
civicmedia.us

Update: Civic to Carry News/Talk Network on Milwaukee FM Signal – NorthPine: Upper Midwest Broadcasting

northpine.com northpine.com
 
Seems like a waste of 1290. It wasn't doing well in the ratings with oldies as it was. And, yes it boosts the range of WRJN, but who's going to tune in an AM that wasn't doing it before? It's Sage Weil 's money but he could have easily done what he's going to do with 100.3 and 107.3 and not had to spend $$ on a dead AM.
 
JJSPC said:
Seems like a waste of 1290. It wasn't doing well in the ratings with oldies as it was. And, yes it boosts the range of WRJN, but who's going to tune in an AM that wasn't doing it before? It's Sage Weil 's money but he could have easily done what he's going to do with 100.3 and 107.3 and not had to spend $$ on a dead AM.
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It was probably all a package deal. The 100.3 translator is the big prize, and the rest were throw-ins. Works perfectly for their news/talk format.

Plus, WZTI gets a translator again, albeit one on the far south side. Some overlap with 99.9, though (maybe they can get approval to aim it north a little more?). The signal gets some live, local talent, courtesy of WRJN. Also stretches the oldies format up the coast to where their almost identical oldies station in Green Bay kicks in. Theoretically.

Not to mention, 1290 will receive some much needed attention. They've been an afterthought since last year's switch to country on the translators. And they never did do much with the Fonz identity anyway. WRXS (106.9) has done a far better execution of the format, along with MeTV Music on WMYX-HD2.

WRJN has apparently become somewhat successful with their full-service approach in Racine, so perhaps that'll help peel off a few old AM radio fans tired of all the nonstop agitprop on WISN.
 
Fighting Irish said:
WRJN has apparently become somewhat successful with their full-service approach in Racine, so perhaps that'll help peel off a few old AM radio fans tired of all the nonstop agitprop on WISN.
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WRJN has actually tweaked themselves into sounding like a very good full-service station. I hope this change doesn't push them into a Milwaukee-centric direction; Racine-Kenosha listeners are not going to be too happy with that.
 
WRJN is more 50s and 60s deep cuts whereas The Fonz is more chart topping 60s and 70s rock with a little motown thrown in there. I'm not a programming expert by any means. Just my observations.

I do appreciate hearing music I've never heard before on the radio dial. Seems like a rarity these days, and civic media deserves credit for that.

Regardless of the music format, WRJN and now WZTI will most definetly promote the democrat ticket during election years. Also a rarity for the AM dial in particular. I suspect they will air more talk programming prior to elections as well.
 
only1moore said:
I’m excited that WLUM bought back “Hot 102” today (September 17, 2025) for only 8 hours. Enjoy it while it lasts.
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Hot 102 was a killer station throughout the 80s until they flipped to New Rock 102ONE almost 31 years ago. Nice touch with the music, jingles, liners and a few of the old jocks. And I'm sure quite a few people under the age of 40 listening now are utterly confused right now, hearing Technotronic and Paula Abdul instead of Foo Fighters and Green Day. Perhaps they think this is the K-Love format. 😄

No word on if B93.3 will stunt under their former 93QFM identity. That would be cool, but highly doubtful.

As for the rest of MRA, Froggy and Fonz are kaput. The websites are currently zombies, almost frozen in time, but both streams are dead. The 100.3 translator is now simulcasting the news/talk programming of Civic Media's WAUK. WZTI 1290 is still off the air, and I don't know if the 107.3 translator is on, due to being somewhat out of range. The two HD subchannels of B93.3, which carried Fonz and Froggy, are silent.
 


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