FCC approves CIMG's acquisition of Decatur, Danville radio stations

CHAMPAIGN — Champaign Multimedia Group has completed its acquisition of eight downstate radio stations and is changing its name to Central Illinois Multimedia Group to mark the expansion.

CIMG previously announced in February that it had reached a deal with Neuhoff Communications to acquire three stations in Danville and five in Decatur. The FCC approved the deal Thursday, CIMG Vice President Grant Thompson said.

“We’re going from three radio stations that are primarily Champaign-Urbana, Champaign County area, and we’re adding three in Vermilion County and five in Macon County,” he said.

“So it’s 11 brands across a really vast area and the ability to offer marketing solutions to advertisers throughout Central Illinois,” he said.

The acquisition includes WDNL-FM, WRHK-FM and WDAN-AM in Danville, as well as Decatur’s WSOY-FM, WDZQ-FM, WSOY-AM, WDZ-AM and WCZQ-FM. The latter station can be heard in both Champaign and Decatur.

The deal also includes the websites nowdecatur.com and vermilioncountyfirst.com.

CIMG is a family-owned affiliate of Community Media Group, which is based in West Frankfort.

In addition to The News-Gazette and CIMG’s other products, Community Media Group operates newspapers, magazines, shoppers and radio stations in several Midwestern states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Michigan, as well as New York and Pennsylvania.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to join with managers and staff of these stations and their digital websites, in continuing the Neuhoff tradition of creative local programming, content and service to Danville, Decatur and the Central Illinois Region,” Community Media Group Chairman Larry Perrotto said.