Walnut Media celebrates Buddy King, host of Music for a Better Life on KCRO, on his induction into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame.
Walnut Media's 5th Annual Boomstock raised $20,793.42 for the Stephen Center and First Responders Foundation. See how the event supports our local community.
Walnut Media announced today the acquisition of AM 590, marking a major expansion for the locally owned media company and the return of the legendary WOW call letters to the Omaha market. Beginning July 6, AM 590 WOW will relaunch as a full-service sports station featuring premier ESPN programming, local sports talk and enhanced regional coverage of University of Nebraska athletics. After a successful petition to the Federal Communications Commission, Walnut Media has officially restored the historically significant WOW call letters to the iconic frequency — reviving one of the Midwest’s most recognized brands in radio history. The W-O-W call letters were originally assigned in 1926, so this return marks the 100th anniversary, making it one of the oldest radio stations in the State of Nebraska! “This is an incredibly exciting moment for our company and for sports fans across the region,” said Patrick Combs, President of Walnut Media. “We are proud to add this historic signal to our group and are excited to offer not only top-notch sports content, but also give Husker fans a powerful regional signal.” AM 590 WOW will become the new Omaha Metro home for Husker Athletics beginning this fall, delivering significantly improved signal coverage for Nebraska fans throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. “Walnut Media’s commitment to local broadcasting and regional sports coverage makes them an outstanding partner for Husker Athletics,” said Brandon Meier, Sr. Associate AD for Marketing and Media. “The enhanced reach and signal strength of AM 590 will provide tremendous value to Nebraska fans across the region.” AM 590 will carry Husker Football Game Day coverage, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Volleyball and Baseball, along with Sports Nightly. The station’s weekday lineup will feature a blend of nationally recognized ESPN personalities and local sports voices: • Unsportsmanlike mornings on ESPN Radio 5a-9a • Mike Golic and Mike Golic Jr 9a-11a • The Rich Eisen Show 11a-2p • Local afternoon drive featuring Nick Handley and Grant Hansen from 2p-6p • Husker Radio Network Sports Nightly from 6p-8p • The return of McGraw Milhaven LIVE from 8p-11p Nick Seline, Vice Chair of Walnut Media, said “We are pleased to add one of the largest and most historic stations in the Midwest to our growing media family. This investment will give us added ability to serve both our listeners and our advertisers.” Walnut Media is the Omaha area’s only locally owned, family-operated media company. Its growing portfolio includes Boomer Radio in Omaha, Council Bluffs and Lincoln; KCRO — The Heartland’s Christian Voice; Mix 105.5; Big Dog Country in Fremont; along with Performance Digital and Performance Podcast, specializing in digital marketing, podcast production, and audio/video content creation. Additional programming announcements, branding elements, and launch events for AM 590 WOW will be announced in the coming weeks.
Walnut Media announced today a strategic format evolution for 106.5 FM and 1420 AM. Beginning June 1, 2026, the station currently known as Bluffs Country will officially join the Boomer Radio Network , rebranding as Boomer in the Bluffs. The transition comes after three years of navigating a highly competitive country music landscape. By joining the Boomer Radio Network, the station aims to provide a more distinct and underserved musical alternative to the Council Bluffs and greater Omaha metropolitan area, moving away from a field crowded by multiple large-signal country broadcasters. While the music is changing, the station’s core commitment to the community remains steadfast. Listeners can expect the same local dedication they have relied on for years, including: • Local News: Comprehensive coverage of the stories affecting the Council Bluffs area at 6am, 7am, 8am, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm• "Belonging in the Bluffs, brought to you by the Iowa West Foundation”: Continued dedication to local community programming and civic engagement. • Iowa Hawkeyes: Remaining the local home for Hawkeye sports fans. "We have spent three years competing head-to-head with two large-signal country stations in the market," said Julie Hansen, Vice President of Operations. "By pivoting to the Boomer format, we are leaning into a proven network that resonates with our audience while maintaining the local news and sports pillars that make this station a community staple." The format flip will occur at 12:01am on June 1st. Listeners can tune in to 106.5 FM or 1420 AM to experience the new sound of Boomer in the Bluffs. # About Walnut Media : Walnut Media is a locally owned multimedia company serving Nebraska and western Iowa through radio broadcasting, digital marketing, podcast production, and content creation. Walnut Media operates multiple radio brands across the region and remains committed to delivering strong local programming, community engagement, and innovative media solutions. julie.hansen@walnutmediausa.co
Boomer Radio, part of Walnut Media, awarded over $20,000 to two local charities today as the beneficiaries of Boomstock 2025. Boomstock began in 2022 as a celebration of the music of the 60’s and 70’s with local musicians, vendors, food trucks and Boomer listeners. Each year, two local charities are awarded the proceeds of the event. This year the event was held on September 27 th at Gene Leah Mall with over 5,000 people attending the free event. Now in year four, Boomstock 2025 selected the 50 Mile March Community of Hope and Project Harmony as the charities and they each received a check for $10, 120. “Boomstock brings our staff together as a team to put this on for the community” said Patrick Combs, President/CEO of Walnut Media USA. “And we’re delighted that this year was a record breaker in terms of what we could give back to these very worthy recipients.”
With an on-air resume covering 60 years and still counting, Dave Wingert has touched numerous radio audiences with his energy, wit and infectious personality. While his career includes stops in Kansas City, Seattle and ten years in national syndication as “Dave ‘Til Dawn,” Wingert made Omaha radio his home through his presence on WOW, KQKQ and KGOR before becoming the morning show host in 2016 on “Boomer Radio” – KOBM FM – where he continues entertaining his loyal “Wingy” fans to this day. Beyond his on-air effervescence, Dave is known for giving his time and talents to support the community through fundraising efforts for the Durham Museum, Omaha Community Playhouse and The Salvation Army to name a few. Through vast changes in technology, formats and ownership, Wingert’s legendary career shines on.
The University of Nebraska, in collaboration with Play Fly Sports, is proud to announce a five-year partnership with Walnut Media that will establish Boomer Radio as the new Omaha affiliate for Husker Sports. Starting July 7, 2025, Husker fans can tune in to Boomer 1490AM and 97.3FM to catch live broadcasts of Husker Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, and the nightly talk show Sports Nightly. In the event of scheduling conflicts, broadcasts will air on KCRO 660AM. Husker Football programming also will air on 660AM KCRO. To enhance accessibility, Walnut Media will also launch a dedicated Husker Sports stream available on the MyBoomerRadio.com app, ensuring fans can stay connected wherever they are.
The Supernovas are excited to announce Walnut Media USA as its flagship radio partner, with multiple News Channel Nebraska radio stations joining as affiliates for the Supernovas Radio Network in 2025!
Please join us in congratulating Andrew Botwinik for being selected as one of Radio Ink Magazine’s 2024 30 Under 30 Superstars!
Congratulations to our own Sue Seline on her induction to the Omaha Press Club Hall of Fame!