Industry News Bits FRI 3/27/26

March 27, 2026

Fundraisers this week .. WGCA/Quincy, IL .. KBNJ/Corpus Christi .. KSBJ/Houston .. WZDG/Wilmington .. WEEC/Dayton .. WFCJ/Dayton .. CJLF/Barrie .. KJNW/Kansas City .. KNWS/Waterloo .. KNWC/Sioux Falls .. Let us know when your Station Fundraiser takes place… news@hisair.net

Christian Radio Ratings on HisAir.Net are sponsored by Dunham+Company.

FEB Nielsen PPM release is now complete…. Look for MARCH PPM’s starting 4/20. Go HERE for latest PPM ratings.

As first reported on HisAir, Houston based KHCB Media Group officially announces that Jonathan Obien has joined the organization as Senior Director of Technology. Previously Jonathan was Moody Radio National Operations Manager.

With more than 20 years of experience in broadcast and digital infrastructure, Jonathan brings a strong track record of advancing technology to expand the reach of the Gospel.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has invested his time and expertise in satellite and IP radio systems. His leadership approach emphasizes people over process and excellence over shortcuts, with a focus on serving teams, encouraging growth, and building sustainable, effective systems that support long-term ministry impact.

“Jonathan brings both depth of experience and a thoughtful, servant-minded approach to

leadership, ” said KHCB President Scott Krus.

“His vision for technology, combined with his heart for ministry, will help strengthen and support the work God is doing through KHCB.”

In his role, Jonathan will lead and oversee all technical operations at KHCB, including engineering, broadcast infrastructure, and information technology systems.

Signing on in March 1962, KHCB/Houston (105.7) is celebrating its 64th of broadcasting. Today KHCB serves as the flagship station for a network of 28 stations.

The phrase “Keeping Him Close By” was coined by Dick Semaan who was the General Manager of KHCB from 1962 to 1963. One day while working on the air, a listener called and said, “Listening to Christian radio is like Keeping Heaven Close By”.

Dick said, “I really like that, but instead of the emphasis on heaven, I think the focus should be on the Lord. So he went on the air and said, “This is KHCB, Keeping Him Close By”. It was an instant hit with listeners and has been the motto of the station ever since.

BOOST RADIO is celebrating its 12th year on the air. The Hip Hop format was launched in March 24, 2014. The station has expanded its reach exponentially since. Expansion includes:

Owner Gateway Creative Broadcasting acquired the 95.5 signal (WFUN/St Louis) from Urban One in November 2020. The new frequency increased St Louis coverage to two million people.

In March 2021 Gateway Creative Broadcasting teamed with EMF to syndicate the BOOST RADIO brand. First additional market was Chicago. Since, The Twin Cities, Pittsburgh, Fayetteville, NC, and Portland has been added.

Nearly every U.S. adult can access religious radio broadcasts from home, Pew Research Center said March 26, and almost half tune in, mostly for music.

In a comprehensive survey, Pew found that 98% live within broadcast range of a religious radio station, 45% listen and a plurality of those surveyed — 37% — tune in for religious music.

About a quarter of all AM/FM radio stations in the United States have a faith focus,

Read more HERE.

HisAir Job Alert – sponsored by FaithSearch Partners

Mount Vernon Nazarene University exists to shape lives through educating the whole person and cultivating Christ-likeness for lifelong learning and service. MVNU is an intentionally Christian teaching university that serves College Credit Plus (CCP) students, traditional undergraduates, graduate students, and working adults seeking academic growth in a faith-centered community. Through rigorous academics, service opportunities, and a deeply relational environment, we strive to form students who live with purpose and lead with character.

If interested in this opening go HERE

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Christian Mix 106 Brian Tucker tells HisAir the station has special Easter programming scheduled.

Brian says, “On Good Friday, April 3 at 12 noon Eastern, we bring you the entire Book of Psalms. Saturday, April 4 from 9-11PM Eastern, we bring you two Moody Radio specials. His Final Hours and Mysteries of Easter in the Old Testament. Then on Sunday, April 5 beginning at 11AM Eastern, it’s the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The FCC has ordered the owner of a group of Spanish-language evangelical Christian radio stations to pay overdue regulatory fees or risk losing the license of an FM station acquired nine years ago. The station now joins seven other facilities tied to the same owner that are no longer operational and also carry unpaid balances with the Commission.

In February 2017 Antonio Cesar Guel—purchased a Class A FM station serving Wichita Falls, Texas, for $122,000. The station has not paid its annual FCC regulatory fees since 2023. The Commission also determined that regulatory fees went unpaid in 2024 for seven now-defunct radio stations and a defunct low-power digital TV facility tied to the same ownership.

The Easter Tool Kit from Ambassador offers a collection of resources available yo stations to help proclaim the Gospel message to your community.

Ambassador invites you to access any of the variety of available resources for your station or ministry use. Easter Day is April 20. Go HERE for the Easter Toolkit.

HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – March 27, 2018

KJNW/KC (Life 88.5) teamed with listeners to collect jars of peanut butter to feed hungry kids in Kansas City through Faithworks. Listeners dropped off peanut butter while attending Winter Jam.

Just over 1,100 jars were collected representing 16,500 meals. Picture at left.

HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – March 28, 2025

WRBS/Baltimore (Bright FM) midday host Christina James has exited the station for a new opportunity in Tennessee. (K-LOVE)

WRBS says, “For 12 years, Christina has encouraged us with her joy, prayers, and hope. We’re so proud of all she’s accomplished here at BRIGHT-FM and grateful to have had her as part of our team. We know you’ll join us in wishing nothing but the best for Christina as she steps into what’s next.”

Milestones:
Craig Powers 6 years at Curb Word
Steve Shore 3 years at EMF
Roger Marsh 2 years at Family Talk

3/28
Jack Hill (KGNZ/Abilene) passed away 10 years ago
KHCB/Houston celebrating its 64th year of broadcasting.
BOOST RADIO/St Louis celebrating its 12th year on the air
Bryce Bower 2 years at KOAY/Boise
Jennifer Bailey 7 years at Encouragement Media Group/Tyler, TX
Bill Bumpas 7 years at Encouragement Media Group/Tyler, TX

3/25
The JOY FM/Chattanooga TN (95.3) goes on the air 2 years ago
Danniebelle 2 years at Hope 1032/New South Wales, AUS

Prayer List:
Please join Intentional Life Media (ILM), the parent ministry for Family Life Radio (FLR), Intentional Life Events (ILE) and Intentional Living (IL), in praying for ILM CEO and President Evan Carlson who is currently in the hospital due to a serious immune reaction to a common virus.

The HisAir Prayer group is a place where the Christian Radio & Records industry can post prayer requests, and pray for others.
Go HERE to join the private HisAir Prayer Group group.

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