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The show launches next week on the newly rebranded 98.7 FM station.
SBJ file photo
The show launches next week on the newly rebranded 98.7 FM station.

Amid Meyer, Zimmer radio deal, ‘Kevin and Liz’ plan return

Posted online

Last edited 11:44 a.m., Aug. 20, 2020

As a Columbia company enters the Springfield market through a nearly finalized acquisition, it's bringing Kevin Howard and Liz Delany back to the airwaves.

Columbia-based Zimmer Communications is purchasing Springfield-based Meyer Communications in a deal announced earlier this summer, according to a news release. Zimmer reached a local management agreement with Meyer on July 1, and it's currently awaiting Federal Communications Commission approval to take over ownership.

"The greater Springfield region has been a great driver of growth in the state of Missouri and we are proud to be of part of the expansion," co-owner John Zimmer said in the release. "We look forward to making a positive impact and difference for the community and businesses with our local solutions and stations to promote the economy of the Springfield, Missouri, region.”

Zimmer Communications on Monday is slated to debut "Kevin and Liz in the Morning" on 98.7 The Dove, a new soft rock station for the market. The Dove takes the place of sports talk radio channel The Jock, which is moving to 96.9 FM, 99.9 FM and 1060 AM, according to the release. Zimmer also is taking over 101.3 The Outlaw and news and talk radio station KWTO-AM.

Reached today, Howard said he was surprised by the offer from Zimmer and that it "feels good" to get back on the air.

“It came out of nowhere. Zimmer has been working on trying to buy these stations for a number of years. I didn’t know anything about it until they did it,” he said. “I knew I was going to keep doing it, but I wanted to stay here because I’ve got kids and school. I didn’t want to move anywhere.”

Howard and Delany previously hosted the morning show at 105.9 KGBX FM. The 21-year co-hosts were among local employees laid off early this year by San Antonio, Texas-based iHeartMedia Inc. (Nasdaq: IHRT).

Longtime radio host Wayne Glenn on June 30 posted on Facebook that Meyer Communications founder Ken Meyer was stepping away from the company and selling off the stations. Meyer is in his 90s.

Comments

2 comments on this story |
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user33376

I am so excited to hear that Kevin & Liz will be back on the air!!

Tuesday, August 11, 2020
user40160

So glad Kevin and Liz will be back.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020
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