Industry News Bits 1-31-20
The official launch of TWR’s Oasis broadcast is tomorrow (Feb. 1, 2020) when the 200,000-watt Oasis transmitter newly installed at TWR’s West Africa Transmitting Station (WATS) will soon cover the entire country of Nigeria and several surrounding areas, with a strong, clear AM signal. TWR announced earlier this month that the $1.45 million required to make Oasis a reality had been raised through about 4,800 generous donations.
“It is our strong belief that Oasis, a wellspring of living waters given freely to all who thirst, will be a place of restoration to the languishing souls of this great nation,” said Abdoulaye Sangho, TWR’s international director for West Africa. “Through its transmission of the pure Word of God, not only will millions have the opportunity to hear God speak in their own heart languages, but also the disillusioned pilgrim will find hope again.”
For many years TWR has broadcast into Nigeria, which is ideologically divided into a largely Muslim north and largely Christian south.
WATS Station Director Garth Kennedy said a number of technical details still need to be worked out to bring Oasis equipment up to its optimum operational status. Kennedy, by the way, was working at WATS when the brand-new station had its inaugural broadcast on the very same date 12 years ago. This Saturday evening, Oasis will take to the airwaves with a complete broadcast schedule, including some new programs, in six languages widely spoken across the country: Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Hausa, Kanuri and African English.
In addition to longtime favorites like Thru the Bible, a diverse range of regional and international programs will make up the schedule. TWR leaders have particularly high hopes for two programs, The Way of Righteousness and The Prophets, which effectively share the gospel with Muslim listeners by emphasizing biblical figures recognized in Christianity and Islam.
Billboard reports BMI and the RMLC have reached a tentative settlement to their two-year-old rate court litigation dispute, and while terms of the deal are undisclosed, BMI says the “new license carries a rate that reflects the strength of BMI’s repertoire and its share of radio spins, which is higher than any other performing rights organization.” The settlement, which is retroactive back to 2017, still needs to be approved by BMI Federal rate court Judge Louis Stanton of the U.S. Southern District of New York.
Vidare Creative is holding a free webinar with guest Tim Smith talking about, “What Have I Gotten Myself Into?”: Building a Successful Fundraising Organization. Tim Smith has over 30 years of experience in Non-Profit Administration, Management and Fund Development. Having served as a Chief Development Officer in Non-Profit Organizations providing a wide range of expertise and resource in Non-Profit leadership and management. The webinar is Tuesday Feb 11th at 11am CT. Make your RSVP HERE.
Prayer List:
Bridget Groce
Jessica Wall
Michele Younkman
Submit your station or label news HERE…