103.5 WIMZ

What 103.5 WIMZ does

103.5 WIMZ is a classic rock formatted FM radio station broadcasting at 103.5 MHz in Knoxville, Tennessee, owned and operated by Midwest Communications, Inc., a privately held multi-station broadcaster headquartered in Wausau, Wisconsin. The station serves adults aged 25-54 in the Knoxville metropolitan area, with particular strength among males 35-54, delivering curated classic rock music from the 1960s-1990s era alongside personality-driven morning programming (Jay Mac & Drake), local weather, UT Vols sports coverage, traffic updates, and community event promotion.

The product surface centers on the over-the-air FM signal and is extended digitally through native iOS and Android mobile applications, an Amazon Alexa skill, and live streaming on the station website, all built on the SoCast digital platform. Supporting digital modules include on-demand podcasts (notably 'All Access with Jay Mac'), a station events and concert calendar, editorial blogs (including sponsored home services content with partner HEP), photo galleries, a local weather widget, SMS text alerts, and recurring contest and sweepstakes programs (such as a $10,000 Vehicle Makeover and Harley-Davidson Nightster giveaways). The station's main studio is located at 1100 Sharps Ridge Memorial Park Drive in Knoxville.

Monetization is entirely advertising-based across three streams: on-air broadcast spot advertising sold primarily to local and regional SMBs, digital and mobile advertising across the station's website, apps, and social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok), and sponsor-funded contests and sweepstakes that combine promotional inventory with branded prize provision. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is routed through the Midwest Communications advertising sales team. The FCC broadcast license for WIMZ-FM is held by Midwest Communications, Inc., which filed a transfer-of-control application on January 25, 2023, shifting ownership from Duey E Wright to a multi-individual group including Mary K Ross, Michael Wright, Jeffrey Wright, Peter Tanz, and Paul Rahmlow.

Name

103.5 WIMZ

Legal name

Midwest Communications, Inc.

Website

https://wimz.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), Music Radio Networks (Format-Based) (MPABABAF)

Keywords

• Classic rock radio
• FM broadcast
• Radio advertising
• Live audio streaming
• Mobile radio apps

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Broadcast Advertising: Local and regional businesses purchase on-air advertising spots to reach the station's listener demographic in the Knoxville market
2. Digital/Mobile Advertising: Sponsors advertise on the station's mobile applications, website, and social media channels
3. Contests and Sweepstakes: Station conducts promotional contests and sweepstakes with prizes provided by external sponsors, driving listener engagement and providing sponsor exposure

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

103.5 WIMZ is a classic rock FM radio station licensed to Knoxville, Tennessee, broadcasting music, contests, community events, weather, and local sports content to listeners in the East Tennessee market. The station distributes its programming across FM radio, online streaming, mobile applications, smart speakers, and on-demand podcasts, while also offering text alerts, push notifications, and interactive features to listeners. Advertising airtime on these channels is the primary commercial offering sold to local and regional advertisers.

Product overview

103.5 WIMZ is a classic rock radio station serving Knoxville, TN, operating as a single broadcast station under parent company Midwest Communications, Inc. The station's offering centers on its 103.5 FM radio broadcast combined with digital access via a native mobile application for iOS and Android, internet live streaming, and smart speaker integration with Amazon Alexa. Supporting the core broadcast are several digital modules: podcasts (including 'All Access with Jay Mac'), a station events and concert calendar, editorial blogs covering local news and lifestyle topics, photo galleries from station events, a weather service widget, SMS-based text alerts for station updates, and periodic contest and sweepstakes programs. The digital experience is powered by SoCast platform technology, though the station itself functions as a single product rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 103.5 WIMZ Classic Rock Radio Broadcast

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Midwest Communications, Inc.coreOthersParent company and licensee of WIMZ-FM broadcast license. Midwest Communications operates radio stations throughout the upper Midwest and owns this station. The company filed a transfer of control application with the FCC in January 2023 affecting ownership.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• iHeartMedia Knoxville: National radio operator running multiple Knoxville FMs; competes with WIMZ for ad share while offering bundled multi-station and digital audio reach that a single-market station cannot match.
• Cox Media Group: Multi-platform broadcaster operating radio clusters in similar-sized U.S. markets; competes with WIMZ for regional ad dollars via bundled radio + digital offerings.
• Audacy (formerly Entercom/CBS Radio): Major U.S. radio operator with stations and digital audio platforms competing for both over-the-air listeners and ad budgets in mid-sized markets including Tennessee-adjacent markets.
• Cumulus Media: Large multi-market radio group with stations in Knoxville and across the U.S.; competes for both audience share and local/regional ad budgets and benefits from national ad-sales scale.
• Saga Communications: Publicly traded operator of FM/AM clusters in mid-sized U.S. markets with format-based local programming comparable to WIMZ's classic rock positioning.
• Townsquare Media: Multi-market radio operator with mid-size-market focus similar in spirit to WIMZ's positioning, operating clusters that compete for the same small/medium-market advertisers.

Emerging players

• SiriusXM: Satellite and streaming audio platform offering deep classic rock channels; competes with WIMZ for in-car listening time and ad-supported audio reach, particularly in connected vehicles.
• iHeartRadio (streaming app): Streaming simulcast and on-demand audio app aggregating thousands of stations including WIMZ itself; represents both a distribution channel and a competitive substitute for time spent listening.

Direct peers

• WOKI-FM (98.7 WOKI / B97.5): Knoxville-market FM station competing directly with WIMZ for the same Adults 25-54 listening audience and Knoxville SMB advertisers via format-driven music programming.
• WIVK-FM (96.7 WIVK): Knoxville heritage FM station operating in the same East Tennessee ad market with comparable format-based music programming, on-air personalities, and event/concert activation. Direct same-market competitor for local ad budgets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/1035wimz
• Facebookfacebook.com/1035wimz
• Instagraminstagram.com/103.5wimz
• TikToktiktok.com/@1035wimz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wimz

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 103.5 WIMZ