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. 

About Civic Media

Civic Media, a public benefit corporation, is dedicated to providing quality broadcast and digital hometown spoken word and music radio. Our focus is on local, regional, and state issues, covering the stories that are most relevant to the markets we serve. We believe radio plays a crucial role in the practice of democracy in our local communities, so we aim to provide programming that advances the understanding and engagement of its principles within our audience.

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