Springfield, IL, April 1, 2025 – Woodward Communications, Inc. (WCI) is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of four radio stations (WNNS-FM, WQLZ-FM, WMAY-FM, and WMAY-AM) from Mid-West Family, serving the Springfield, IL marketplace.
This acquisition follows WCI’s recent purchase of four Springfield, IL radio stations (WXAJ-FM, WFMB-FM, WCVS-FM, and WFMB-AM) from Neuhoff Media completed in October of last year.
By merging these operations, WCI’s leadership team believes this will enhance listener and customer experiences, as well as advertiser value. Kevin O’Dea, Market Manager for Woodward’s Springfield marketplace, will continue his role and is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
“All of us at Woodward Community Media look forward to the addition of the Midwest Family Stations to our lineup here in Springfield. These four stations along with our current lineup including Channel1450.com and our Digital Services will allow us to enhance our local commitment to our listeners, advertising partners, and the Springfield and Central Illinois Community. We are excited to get started and grow this formidable group of stations along with welcoming the talented Midwest Family professionals joining us,” said Kevin O’Dea.
To comply with FCC ownership rules, WCI has divested WCVS-FM. Educational Media Foundation is the buyer for WCVS-FM. WCI is also divesting two of its recently acquired radio stations in Bloomington, IL: WIHN and WWHX. Additionally, WCI has entered into a “Local Marketing Agreement” (LMA) with Great Plains Media to operate WBBE. Great Plains Media currently owns and operates three radio stations in Bloomington, IL.
WCI stated that the divestitures and the LMA agreement in Bloomington will allow it to better focus its resources on the Springfield marketplace.
“We look forward to integrating Mid-West’s solid brands into our Springfield operations, and, importantly, welcoming the talented and dedicated Mid-West team to be part of our employee-owned company. Our plan is to co-locate all the stations and related operations into Mid-West Family’s current office and studios, which we believe will create synergies that will benefit our employee owners, our customers, and the community,” said Tom Woodward, CEO and President of WCI.
Greg Guy of Tideline Partners advised WCI on the acquisition of Mid-West Family, the divestitures, and the LMA. Bob Heymann Jr., Managing Director of Media Services Group – Chicago, advised Mid-West Family.
About Woodward Communications, Inc. (WCI)
WCI is based in Dubuque, IA, and owns and operates community media businesses, including print and digital community newspapers; radio; lifestyle publications; events; business-to-business publications; custom publishing; and commercial printing. WCI is a locally owned and operated employee-owned company. www.Wcinet.com
Woodward Community Media (WCM)
As a division of WCI, WCM informs, entertains, and connects our communities through audio, print, video, digital, and event content for our audiences and customers. WCM marketplaces include the greater Dubuque, IA, and tri-state area; The Fox Cities, including Green Bay and Oshkosh, in Northeast Wisconsin; Madison, WI; Springfield/Bloomington, IL; and Providence, Rhode Island.
Contacts:
- Tom Woodward, CEO/President
Woodward Communications, Inc.
801 Bluff St., Dubuque, IA
tom.woodward@wcinet.com
- Kevin O’Dea, Market Manager
Woodward Community Media, Springfield/Bloomington, IL
3055 S. 4th Street, Springfield, IL 62703
217-652-2883
kevin.odea@wcmspi.com
- Kelly Radandt, Market Manager
Woodward Community Media – North East Wisconsin and Springfield/Bloomington, IL
2800 E College Ave, Appleton, WI
920-831-5655
kradandt@wcinet.com
