Educational Media Foundation has purchased longtime mainstream rock station WLUP/Chicago (97.9 The Loop) for $21.5 million. Chicago media columnist Robert Feder reports the deal to sell by current owner, Merlin Media, was filed with the FCC Monday. Since 2014 The Loop has been operated under a local marketing agreement by Cumulus Media. As part of a bankruptcy filing last month, Cumulus withdrew plans to buy the station, setting in motion Merlin’s search for a new owner.

EMF stations in the Chicago area include WJKL FM 94.3 in Glendale Heights, WOKL FM 89.1 in Round Lake Beach, and WZKL FM 91.7 in Woodstock. All of them broadcast the K-Love format. WSRI FM 88.7 in Sugar Grove and WAIW FM 88.1 in Wheaton broadcast EMF’s Air1 contemporary hit Christian rock format.

The flip from mainstream rock to CCM KLOVE is expected to be this Saturday.