WBMI/West Branch Sold to Smile FM

This past week (2/1), Peggy Warner’s 105.5fm, LLC has filed an application with the FCC to assign the license of WBMI-FM (West Branch) to non-commercial station operator Smile FM for $95,000.  According to press reports, once the deal closes, the format will be flipped from its current classic country format to Smile FM’s noncommercial religious contemporary Christian format.

This is the second purchase by Smile FM in the last six months.  In September, the Imlay City-based broadcaster purchased WLCO-AM (Lapeer) from Townsquare Media.  That sale was approved by the FCC on January 10, but has not yet closed.  The organization owns 20 non-commercial FM stations, primarily in Michigan, and has pending applications from the recent non-commercial filing window.

105.5fm, LLC acquired WBMI out of receivership in February, 2021.  The station only recently returned to the air.  WBMI operates on 105.5 mHz with 6kw at 91 meters above average terrain.