In late November 2004, for an undisclosed price, Norman Waitt Jr. and Mary Quass merged their respective small-market radio companies, as Waitt Radio and NewRadio Group came together under the NRG Media banner. Outright purchase of radio stations in Omaha-Council Bluffs didn’t come until August 2009, however.
Now, as 2026 begins, Quass has decided to sell its remaining six properties in Nebraska’s largest market.
With Kalil & Co. serving as the exclusive broker in the transaction, NRG Media is selling the following properties to Usher Media, led by Alan Usher:
- Class B News/Talk KOIL-AM 1290 in Omaha, with 5kw daytime from 1 tower and 3 towers at night (with a directional signal)
- Class C3 Rhythmic Top 40 KOPW-FM “Power 106.9” in Plattsmouth, Neb.
- Class B KZOT-AM 1180 “Yacht Rock” in Bellevue, Neb., with 25kw daytime/1kw nighttime from 4 towers, using a directional two-pattern array
- Class B expanded band facility KZOT-AM 1620 “The Zone,” a Sports Talker in Bellevue, Neb., with 10kw daytime/1kw nighttime from 1 tower
- Class C0 Top 40 KQKQ-FM “Sweet 98” in Council Bluffs, Iowa
If Usher’s name sounds familiar, it is because he’s already arranged one radio station acquisition agreement with Quass’ NRG. As RBR+TVBR first reported in November 2025, Usher Media LLC agreed to purchase KGFW-AM, KQKY-FM, KRNY-FM, and K241CN-FX in Kearney, Neb.; KROR-FM in Hastings, Neb.; and KSYZ-FM in Grand Island, Neb., for $3.75 million.
NRG will continue to own radio stations across the Upper Midwest.
In a brief statement, Quass said, “We have had a wonderful partnership with Omaha and are happy that Alan Usher and his group will continue that relationship.”
Usher added, “This acquisition is a statement of belief in Omaha and in Nebraska. Local radio matters. Local leadership matters. We are committed to building a broadcast presence that reflects the strength of this community and delivers real value to the
businesses and people who call it home.”
An asset purchase agreement containing deal terms including the price had not yet been uploaded to the FCC’s LMS as of 2:40pm Central on Monday.
TAPPED OUT AT ‘THE KEG’
With the November 3, 2025, closing of the previously announced sale of KMMQ-AM & K258DC in Omaha to Muñoz Media, that leaves KOOO-FM 101.9, a Hard Rocker branded as “101.9 The Keg.”
KOOO is also being sold, in a separate transaction, to Nebraska Public Media.
The acquisition, the NPR member said, will bring programming to Omaha “on a dedicated radio signal, fulfilling the mission outlined in the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Act to operate statewide educational and public media networks.”
For carriage of NPR’s spoken word programs, that’s a big advancement, as KIOS-FM, licensed to Omaha Public Schools, largely airs jazz and blues programming across its schedule. For those seeking such spoken word shows as “Here & Now,” WOI-AM 640 in Ames, Iowa, has been the primary broadcast home for those in the Omaha market; an FM translator at 104.7 MHz serves only Ames, Iowa, to the north.
NPM’s current station map is dotted with signals across the state, with Omaha-Council Bluffs the lone void — until now.
“Nebraska Public Media is committed to every Nebraskan, and we believe in a future grounded in local journalism and trusted voices,” said Nebraska Public Media General Manager and CEO Stacey Decker. “The opportunity to acquire a station in Omaha advances our long-standing mission to operate truly statewide networks. We are excited to deepen our investment in the Omaha community with radio programming that reflects our dedication to public service and telling Nebraska’s story.”
Fans of KIOS’ unique format and current WOI listeners will get something different for Omaha and Council Bluffs. Daytime programming will feature the signature NPR programs and statewide news updates extending to daily coverage of the Nebraska state legislature when in session.
Evenings and overnight hours will see the debut of an Adult Alternative format that will likely turn to markets such as Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth for inspiration, as KOOO-FM will air “an eclectic blend of rock, blues, world, folk and alternative country music from both contemporary and heritage artists.” As NPM sees it, “The format choice reflects Omaha’s history of supporting alternative and independent music.”
A Form 314 filing for KOOO-FM is also forthcoming.
