MANKATO — The local radio dial is becoming more crowded with Linder-family stations with the company’s acquisition of KXLP-FM and KYSM-AM (The Fan).

The Linders also got a new FM license for the Mankato market — the format of which they haven’t yet settled on.

In this area, the Linders — through their company Minnesota Valley Broadcasting — own KTOE-AM, KDOG-FM, KRRW and KXAC St. James, KRUE and KOWO Waseca.

“We’ll be able to offer more diverse programming and serve our advertisers better by offering more demographics and reach,” said Chief Executive Officer John Linder.

He said the formats for KXLP and The Fan would stay mostly the same.

Meanwhile, Three Eagles Communications, which owns KEEZ-FM (Z99) has purchased KYSM-FM (Country 103.5). The Nebraska-based company also owns area stations KRBI AM and FM (The Buzzard) in St. Peter and KQYK (Eagle Country) Lake Crystal.

Clear Channel breakup

The local shakeup comes from the sale of Clear Channel Communications late last year. Clear Channel had dominated the national radio industry in recent years. It was sold for nearly $27 billion to a consortium of private-equity firms, which then sold off one-third of its 1,150 radio stations.

Initially, Three Eagles purchased nine stations in Iowa and three in Minnesota from Clear Channel, including KYSM AM and FM and KXLP. Three Eagles paid $25 million in that deal. The company then sold KXLP and KYSM-AM to Linder.

According to the industry journal Broadcasting & Cable Online, the Linders paid $3.13 million for KXLP.

Linder said after looking at the local market, he and Three Eagles decided it made sense for Three Eagles to sell The Fan to Linder.

“It just fits in well with KTOE and our Twins broadcasting and all the local sports we do,” Linder said.

KYSM-AM is the oldest radio station in Mankato, starting in the late 1930s.

Much of The Fan’s programming has come from the KFAN station in the Twin Cities, which is still owned by Clear Channel. Linder said he expects to continue getting most of the KFAN programming on The Fan.

Vikings games will again be broadcast locally and Linder said he is in negotiations to get Timberwolves broadcasts, as well.

In an era of distant corporations buying local businesses, Linder said it is satisfying to keep stations locally owned.

“We’re excited to bring local ownership back to those two stations. We’re looking forward to a long-term relationship.”

The changes also brought office renovations and changes.

The KTOE building on Old Highway 14 between Mankato and Eagle Lake is undergoing renovation and expansion, to about double its size, to bring in staff from KXLP and The Fan.

Changes at Three Eagles

Three Eagles is also consolidating its offices. The longtime KEEZ office on Highway 169/60 on the LeHillier hill is for sale. The company is moving Z99 and its new KYSM-FM offices to the building on Lee Boulevard in North Mankato, where KYSM AM and FM were located when owned by Clear Channel.

Ron Gates, executive vice president for Three Eagles, said the company is adding on to the Lee Boulevard building to make space for added employees.

Gates, who has been with Three Eagles since it formed in 1996, has been in Mankato for two years.

Two popular morning hosts on KYSM-FM — TJ & Lisa — are no longer with the station.

“It was not our decision that they left,” said Gates, who said they were not fired, but who said he couldn’t comment further.

Gates said there will be no significant programming changes at Z99, Country 103.5 or The Buzzard.