Longtime DeKalb County leader and broadcaster to pursue new interests
Broadcast station owner and local DeKalb County leader, Tana Knetsch, has entered into an agreement to sell the assets of WDKB-FM, B95 to Mid-West Family Broadcasting from Rockford, Illinois.
For the past three decades, Knetsch has owned and operated WDKB-FM, serving DeKalb County and its communities with a focus on local programming and high level community involvement.
“Owning and operating B95 has been a privilege, a joy and pleasure,” said Knetsch. “The most rewarding thing about owning WDKB is that I’ve made lots of great friends including listeners, advertisers, and employees. My employees have become a second family. We all share a passion for radio and each and every one of them has been an integral part of B95’s success. ”
Mid-West Family Broadcasting, with five radio stations in Rockford, will enter the DeKalb market once the Federal Communications Commission approves the transfer of license from Knetsch to Mid-West Family Broadcasting, which is expected in late August or early September. Until the transfer of license is granted by the regulatory body, Knetsch will continue to operate B95. For a period of time after the transfer of license, she will remain as a consultant to Mid-West Family Broadcasting.
“We’re very excited to build on the great foundation that Tana has built at B95. WDKB is a well-respected mainstay of DeKalb County,” said Mike Paterson, General Manager of Mid-West Family Broadcasting. “At its core, radio is a local business and there’s not a more local station than WDKB – you can hear it coming out of the speakers. As a group, we’re excited to become a part of the DeKalb and Sycamore communities and serve local listeners, advertisers, and community advocates.”
Over the past five years, Mid-West Family Broadcasting has worked with more than 100 Rockford area organizations to make the Rockford region a better place to live. Employees of Mid-West Family Broadcasting in Rockford serve on the boards of organizations like Children’s Home and Aid, United Way of the Rock River Valley, Club Blue, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, GiGi’s Playhouse, The Literacy Council, and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.
“Our mantra of Mid-West Family Broadcasting in Rockford is to “Create a Customer” during any interaction – whether that’s an advertiser, a listener, a co-worker, or a community member,” said Paterson. “We’re very excited to dig into the communities of DeKalb County and demonstrate our commitment to them by being involved and making an impact for local residents and business owners.”
Mid-West Family Broadcasting currently owns and operates radio stations in eight Midwestern communities including South Bend, Indiana and Madison, Wisconsin. All of its markets are locally owned and operated by shareholder employees.
“Mid-West Family Broadcasting will continue to foster the strong sense of community that B95 has in DeKalb County, and continue to serve our longtime advertisers and listeners,” said Knetsch.
For any questions or comments, please contact Mike Paterson at 815-874-7861 or mpaterson@rmgmwf.com.
