WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- Wausau-based Midwest Communications is acquiring nine additional radio stations. The deal announced late Wednesday has Midwest Communications agreeing to a deal with Evansville, Indiana based South Central Communications for an undisclosed price.
Midwest Communications President and CEO Duke Wright believes he’s fortunate to acquire one of America’s best run radio groups. The stations include WIKY, WSTO, WABX, and WLFW in Evansville, Indiana, WJXA and WCJK in Nashville, Tennessee, and WJXB, WVRX, and WIMZ in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Wright says Midwest will not begin operating the nine radio properties until the sale is approved by the government. “That will take several months. That’s usual. We would expect to, pending FCC approval, be involved in operating these stations sometime in September.”
South Central CEO J.P. Englebrecht issued a statement saying, “We have found a great steward for our radio stations and people in Midwest Communications.”
Wright says South Central is a lot like Midwest Communications in many ways. “(They’re) family owned, began operations in 1947, third generation of the founding family is now running South Central, and they have diversified into some other fields that they wish to pursue, and decided to sell their radio division, and believe you me, these are wonderful radio stations in terrific markets.”
Wright started Midwest Communications with WRIG-AM in Wausau, Wisconsin in 1958. The nine stations included in this deal brings Midwest Communications portfolio up to 72 radio stations including this one in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
A third party connected Wright with Englebrecht and the South Central ownership. Wright says he may grow again if the circumstances are right. “You know, if you’re not growing, you’re going backwards, so you’ve got to move forward.”
Duke Wright is passionate about radio and says the medium is stronger now than it has ever been, and serves listeners and communities well.
The Midwest Communications home page lists the company's existing radio stations and cities they are located in.