Zimmer Communications has formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to approve its acquisition of Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s Springfield, MO radio cluster while granting a waiver of the agency’s local radio ownership limits, arguing the combined nine-station operation would create a stronger competitor to in-market competitors without harming competition.

Zimmer announced last month that it had reached a $1,241,444 deal to buy rock “Q92.9” KQRA, sports “102.1 The Won” KOSP, classic rock “104.7 The Cave” KKLH and classic country “105.1 The Bull” KOMG from Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

Zimmer already owns several stations in the market, including country “93.7 The Stage” KZMO, soft AC “98.7 The Dove” KTXR, classic country “Real Country 101.3” KWTO-FM, news/talk 560/93.3 KWTO and sports “96.9 The Jock” KBFL.

The combination would create a nine-station cluster in Nielsen market No. 131, exceeding the current ownership cap in the Springfield market by three stations. In a market that size, current rules say a single owner may hold no more than six commercial stations, including no more than four in the same service. But Zimmer has filed a waiver request with the FCC to combine operations rather than divest stations.

Zimmer contends “there is good cause to grant this waiver” because keeping all nine stations together “will have no material impact on audience or advertisers” and would instead “serve the public interest by minimizing disruption to and enhancing the quality of the radio programming available in the Springfield market.”

The filing argues the combination would leave competition robust. Zimmer says its revenue share would rise from 8.5% to 33.6%, still slightly below SummitMedia’s 34.8%, while its audience share would increase from 9.2% to 21.3%, remaining just behind iHeartMedia’s 22.3%. The company also notes there would still be 18 separate broadcast owners in the Springfield market following the transaction.

According to the filing, the larger cluster would better position Zimmer to compete with the market’s biggest operators while expanding local programming. “The economies of scale created by the combined Zimmer and Mid-West Family Broadcasting entities will enable Zimmer to maintain and to grow its local news into new areas within the market,” the company says, adding that the additional scale will help it stay connected with listeners through radio, digital and social media platforms.

Zimmer also argues the combined operation would create opportunities to strengthen its country and sports brands. It says operating three country stations together “could allow Zimmer to strengthen its country music programming” while pairing KBFL with KOSP could allow Zimmer to provide Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s popular sports programming across a larger portion of the market.

The filing also broadens the competitive landscape beyond radio, arguing broadcasters increasingly compete against television, newspapers, outdoor advertising and digital platforms. “Big Tech companies are increasing their domination over advertising sales in each local radio market year after year,” Zimmer says in its request, arguing that consolidation is needed so broadcasters can achieve the scale necessary to compete for local advertising dollars.

“By combining our strengths, we’ll be able to offer advertisers even more effective marketing solutions while continuing to provide the trusted local content our audiences rely on,” Zimmer President John Zimmer said when the deal was announcement last month.

FCC approval required before the transaction can close.

The pending deal also includes Mid-West Family’s “Around the Ozarks” digital brand. It showcases non-profit opportunities, as well as highlights local people and groups who are helping make a difference.