NextMedia Launches First-Ever Spanish-Language FM Radio Station Serving Milwaukee and Racine, WI

NextMedia Launches First-Ever Spanish-Language FM Radio Station Serving Milwaukee and Racine, WI

'104.7-FM La GranD,' Featuring a Mix of Regional Mexican Music, To Launch at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- NextMedia Operating, Inc., announced today the launch of "104.7-FM La GranD", Milwaukee's first-ever Spanish- language FM radio station. "La GranD," which will serve the Milwaukee/Racine, Wisconsin market, will launch on Friday, September 16, 2005, at the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's (NHCC) national convention in Milwaukee on the historic day of Mexico's and Central American independence. The station, formerly 104.7-FM WEXT, will offer a fresh play list of regional Mexican music, including Rancheras, Nortenas, Grupos, Bandas and Cumbias, targeting Hispanic consumers ages 18-49.

NextMedia is also proud to announce that Mr. George Franco, incoming Chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), Ms. Maria Monreal-Cameron, Executive Director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Wisconsin and Mr. Michael L. Barrera, President & CEO of USHCC will be on hand at the NHCC convention to formally flip the switch on "La GranD". These three distinguished Hispanic community leaders will assist in launching the station and introducing its new sound to Milwaukee and Racine.

Milwaukee, the nation's 22nd largest Hispanic market in the U.S., has witnessed explosive Hispanic population growth. According to the 2000 census, Hispanics or Latinos make up approximately 12% of Milwaukee's total population. It is reported that Milwaukee's Hispanic community has grown by more than 100% over the past 10 years.

Skip Weller, President and Co-COO of NextMedia Operating, Inc., said, "Our launch of 'La GranD' marks NextMedia's entry into the rapidly growing Spanish- language radio segment. Milwaukee is a thriving city with a strong Hispanic community and we are thrilled to provide this market with its first-ever Spanish-language FM radio station. We feel 'La GranD' will offer its listeners an authentic Mexican-themed radio format, while providing local businesses with a great opportunity to reach the growing Hispanic community in Milwaukee."

George Franco commented, "NextMedia's launch of 'La GranD' demonstrates the significant growth and buying power of the Hispanic community in the greater Milwaukee area. We believe this station will not only serve as a strong advertising platform for local Milwaukee businesses, but will also help to extend and strengthen the wonderful Hispanic heritage that exists in Milwaukee. On behalf of both the USHCC and the Hispanic community we welcome the country's newest Spanish-language radio station to Milwaukee."

Programming for "La GranD" will be provided by Bustos Media Networks, the country's premier syndicator of Spanish-language programming. The "La GranD - La Mas Mexicana" format addresses musical taste of the first and second- generation individuals of Mexican origin in the United States, focusing on the key demographic segment of adults ages 18-49.

Amador S. Bustos, President and CEO of Bustos Media, said, "Milwaukee carries a vibrant Hispanic culture and I believe NextMedia will have great success with our branded network. Bustos is thrilled to be a part of the first-ever Spanish-language radio station in Milwaukee."

Mr. Weller added, "Bustos Media Networks is the nation's leading provider of Hispanic radio content and we look forward to working with them to provide our listeners in Milwaukee with Spanish-language content they cannot receive anywhere else."

Kira Lafond, Vice President and General Manager of seven of NextMedia's radio stations will oversee 104.7-FM "La GranD". To kick off the new format, "La GranD" will play 10,000 songs in a row, beginning on Friday.

About NextMedia

NextMedia Group, Inc. is a diversified out-of-home media company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. After giving effect to pending acquisitions and divestitures, NextMedia, through its subsidiaries and affiliates owns and operates 59 stations in 15 markets throughout the United States, and more than 5,600 bulletin and poster displays. Additionally, NextMedia owns advertising displays in more than 5,300 retail locations across the United States. Investors in NextMedia's ultimate parent company include Thomas Weisel Capital Partners, Alta Communications, Weston Presidio Capital and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, as well as senior management. NextMedia was founded by veteran media executives Carl E. Hirsch, Executive Chairman, and Steven Dinetz, President and CEO.

About United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)

The USHCC represents the interests of more than 2 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States and Puerto Rico, which earn more than $200 billion annually. It serves as the umbrella organization for more than 210 local Hispanic chambers nationwide, and it actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs.

For more information, please visit http://www.nextmediagroup.net/.

Source: NextMedia Operating, Inc.

CONTACT: Skip Weller, President & Co-COO of NextMedia Operating, Inc., +1-303-694-9118, sweller@nextmediagroup.net; or Kim Holt of Brainerd Communicators, Inc., +1-212-986-6667, holt@braincomm.com; or George Franco, Chairman of USHCC, +1-202-842-1212 X123, gfranco@infc.net; or Amador S. Bustos, Chairman and CEO of Bustos Media, LLC, +1-916-216-1423, abustos@bustosmedia.com

Web site: http://www.nextmediaradio.com/

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