Wisconsin-based Civic Media is preparing to acquire 13 radio stations in west central Illinois and southeast Iowa, the company announced Tuesday.
The proposed sale includes stations owned by Pritchard Broadcasting Corporation, Titan Broadcasting LLC, and Galesburg Broadcasting Corporation.
The 13 stations included in the proposed sale are:
- WGIL 93.7 FM/1400 AM, FM 95 WAAG, 92.7 The Laser, and Classic Hits Z106.1 in Galesburg
- 105.3 KFM in Knoxville
- News Radio 99.3/1490 KBUR, 93.5 KKMI, Big Country 103.1, and The New Mix 107.3 KGRS in Burlington
- Fox Sports 104.5/1360 KBKB-AM and 101.7 The Bull in Fort Madison
- Hot 97.3 in New London
- KQ92 in Dallas City
Titan Broadcasting, LLC has been owned by John C. “LJ” Pritchard since 2007. Pritchard Broadcasting Corporation and Galesburg Broadcasting Company were owned and operated by John T. Pritchard until his death in August 2026.
TSPR asked Roger Lundeen, general manager of Galesburg Broadcasting Company, for comment on the acquisition.
“While we are sad to see the end of the Pritchard family’s long-standing media legacy in Galesburg, joining Civic Media brings valuable resources for our team and a shared commitment to our local community,” Lundeen said. “We look forward to investing in Galesburg, strengthening our commitment to local information, community involvement, and helping the businesses we serve grow and succeed.”
John C. Pritchard said in a release that the 13 stations joining Civic Media “provides the best path forward for these stations to continue to serve the local communities today and grow.”
The sale is pending approval from the Federal Communications Commmission.
Civic Media was founded in 2022. It currently owns radio stations in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa. The company says its mission is to “champion the practice of democracy through the power of honest and informative local voices.”
“Across our footprint, we are committed to covering the stories most relevant to the markets we serve. We believe radio plays a crucial role in our local communities and we look forward to supporting the teams at Titan Broadcasting, Pritchard Broadcasting Corporation, and Galesburg Broadcasting Company in fulfilling that role,” said Sage Weil, CEO and founder, in a release.
Civic Media is a public-benefit corporation, meaning it is a for-profit company that combines its business model with a social mission.
According to the company’s website, its stations cover local, regional, and state-focused news, sports, politics, and community life.
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