Industry News Bits TUE 5/12/26
Fundraisers this week .. New Life Radio/Griffin, GA .. WGTS/Wash DC .. WayFM .. Vision Christian Radio/Queensland .. Let us know when your Station Fundraiser takes place… news@hisair.net
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The MARCH Nielsen PPM release is complete. The APRIL PPM starts 5/18 …. Go HERE for latest PPM ratings.
AQH Share for Persons 12+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid MAR 26
WALV/Chattanooga – 2.5
WHVK/Huntsville – 2.3
WHLH/Jackson – 12.1 (#1)
Salem Media Group has reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by WaterStone, formally known as The Christian Community Foundation, Inc., in a deal that will take the company private. Salem says the move is intended to strengthen its long-term mission and position the company for future growth across radio, digital media, streaming, podcasting, television, and publishing.
Under the terms of the agreement, WaterStone will acquire all outstanding shares of Salem Media common stock for $1.00 per share, representing approximately a 250% premium over Salem’s recent trading price.
Edward Atsinger III, Salem co-founder and board member, said finding the right long-term steward for the company was a priority. “For the last ten years the Atsinger and Epperson families have been looking for a successor that would continue to carry the torch of delivering quality Christian and conservative media into the next generation and beyond. When we met with WaterStone, some 24 months ago, we believed it was a divine appointment. WaterStone is deeply aligned with the vision we had when our families founded this company.”
Richard von Gnechten, Chairman of Salem Media’s Board of Directors and President of WaterStone, said the partnership reflects years of shared vision and alignment between the organizations. “This is about building on what makes Salem unique,” von Gnechten said. “Salem has spent decades earning the trust of listeners, ministries, advertisers, and audiences by staying true to its mission. WaterStone believes deeply in that mission and in the people behind it. This partnership gives Salem additional strength and long-term stability while creating new opportunities to expand its reach for the future – which is why we are making this investment.”
The transaction was unanimously approved by Salem’s Board of Directors and is expected to close in August 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
HisAir Job Alert – sponsored by FaithSearch Partners
KOKA is currently seeking a Part-Time Board Operator to join our team. We are looking for someone who is computer savvy, understands how to use the internet, and has some familiarity with production features and programming operations. Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is coachable, dependable, and willing to be trained.
If interested in this opening go HERE.
WCSG/Grand Rapids afternoon news anchor Joel Hill has been promoted to Assistant Professor of Communications at Cornerstone University, operators of WCSG. He’ll continue to teach multiple classes while still contributing at WCSG.
Joel says, “It is so amazing to hear students in each of my classes describe how they know my voice from the radio. Each incoming class, I have more and more students tell me “I’ve heard you on the radio since I was little!”
Amanda Patterson is the creator behind K-LOVE Kids, a new social media platform that launched May 1 with the goal of connecting children to faith through fun, Christ-centered content.
Patterson said the opportunity came because of a connection with K-LOVE CEO Tom Stultz. They both have roots in Greenup County, Ky.
“We connected because nobody is from where we’re from,” Patterson said. “We knew all the same people, had a bunch of people in common. The next time I saw him, he asked what I was doing with the kids initiative. It’s something, as a company, they’ve talked about, but he hadn’t heard any updates. They hadn’t done anything yet, and he asked if I had any ideas. I’m sure he regretted that.”
Read more HERE
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KVNE/Tyler is collecting diapers from listeners at various locations through May 15th. The diaper drive is on KVNE stations in East Texas, Shreveport, and central Arkansas.
Here’s KVNE morning host Mike Harper on location.
HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – May 12, 2016
Colleen Larkins has been named station manager at WRXT/Roanoke (Spirit FM). Spirit FM GM Marc Tischart told HisAir.Net, “Colleen Larkins began her career at Spirit FM as an intern and has become a great leader during these past eight years. PAR stations are committed to developing leaders, engaging close relationships, acting as one, and excelling at accomplishing our mission. Colleen is among the next generation of Christian media leaders who will contribute significantly in creating the future for Christian Music Broadcasting.”
Milestones:
Faron Dice 5 years at One Child
WDYN/Chattanooga celebrates 58 years
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