After a little more than three years on the air, Bluffs Country 106.5 has officially signed off, making way for an expanded presence of one of the Omaha market’s most recognizable heritage brands.
Walnut Radio has transitioned 1420 AM and translator 106.5 FM from Country to the Boomer Radio format, ending the station’s run as a locally focused Country outlet serving Council Bluffs and western Iowa.
The move returns the signals to primarily carrying Boomer Radio programming while maintaining a strong commitment to local content. Listeners will continue to hear multiple daily local newscasts, community-focused features, a regular segment featuring Council Bluffs leadership, and coverage of University of Iowa football.
The decision comes after several years of competing in one of the region’s most crowded radio formats. Rather than continuing to battle larger Country competitors, Walnut Radio has opted to focus on a format that provides greater differentiation while still serving local listeners with news, information, and sports coverage.
Boomer Radio has built a loyal audience throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa by focusing on timeless music and community engagement. The network’s reach extends across multiple signals serving Omaha, Council Bluffs, Blair, Lincoln, and surrounding communities.
For longtime Omaha radio observers, the move reinforces the continued strength of a brand that has quietly carved out a unique position in the market.
On The Dial Publisher Steven Mills, who previously held programming leadership roles in Omaha, said the Boomer brand remains one of the market’s true success stories.
“Boomer is one of the most incredible radio stations I’ve ever seen. I have leadership history in the Omaha market, and the primary signal associated with this group is one that I programmed during my time there. I’ve watched the evolution of the station and its connection with listeners over the years. Boomer isn’t trying to be everything to everybody. It knows exactly who it is, and that’s one of the reasons it continues to resonate with its audience.”
Mills added that stations with a clearly defined identity often have the best chance of standing out in today’s competitive media environment.
As Boomer Radio expands its footprint in Council Bluffs, the station will continue blending music, local information, and community-focused programming, a combination that has helped make the brand a fixture across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro.
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On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.