Mid-West Family Buying Maverick Media Stations

Madison, Wis.-based Mid-West Family Broadcasting is buying four radio stations in Rockford, IL and six in Eau Claire, WI.

In rockford, Mid-West is acquiring WGFB 103.1 FM, WXRX 104.9 FM, WRTB 95.3 FM and WNTA’s AM and FM stations from Maverick Media in Westport, Conn.

“Everything will continue, and nothing is going to change,” Ron Giordan, public relations representative for Mid-West, told rrstar.com.

The radio stations employ about 45 full-time-equivalent staff members, said J Chapman, market manager for Maverick in Rockford, who will continue with Mid-West. Mid-West will begin operating the Rockford stations on May 1.

Mid-West is also buying Maverick stations in Eau Claire, Wis., as part of the package.

In the Eau Claire, it buys classic rock WECL 92.9 The Big Cheese, country WAXX 104.5 FM, hot AC WIAL I-94, adult hits WDRK Bob FM 99.9, news-talk WAYY (790), sports “ESPN 1150” WEAQ.

Mid-West Family also operates 30 stations in Madison, Wisconsin; Lacrosse, Wisconsin; Springfield, Illinois; Springfield, Missouri, and St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, Michigan.

 The sale, pending FCC approval, is expected to close this summer. Total price reportedly is $15.5M. Maverick used to operate in seven markets; it recently sold stations in California.