Industry News Bits 1-4-21

The FCC has approved The Family Network to expand into Western Wisconsin with WGNW/Cornell, WI (formerly known as WDRK 99.9FM) serving the Chippewa Valley. “It’s always exciting to see a family grow! For more than 50 years The Family has been broadcasting hope to listeners in Northeast and then later, Central Wisconsin. We couldn’t be more thrilled to include the Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley communities in our listening areas!” said Sonia Barham, CEO of The Family Radio Network, Inc.

On December 8, 2020, WDRK went silent, in preparation for the closing of the station’s sale and the format moving to another station. Effective December 11, 2020, Blugold Radio sold WDRK to The Family Radio Network, Inc. for $280,300. The new owners simultaneously changed the station’s call sign to WGNW.

The Family Radio Network currently covers Central Wisconsin (Wausau/Stevens Point) via 88.5FM, Northeast Wisconsin (Appleton/Oshkosh) through 91.9FM, Green Bay and the Lakeshore at 91.5FM, and Plymouth/Sheboygan via 91.3FM.  

WDJC/Birmingham implements some changes for the new year. PD Justin Brown says the Morning, Midday and Afternoon shows are all doing a Saturday show now. WDJC also welcomes Chris Stevenson to host a Sunday show. WDJC airs all worship music on Sunday.

Also Terry Patilla hangs up the headphones as host of “Sunday of Praise”. Terry who has been with the station 22 years, remains a WDJC producer.

The daily teaching program from Moody Radio Bold Steps with Dr. Mark Jobe officially launches a new weekly edition of the program the weekend of Jan. 30-31, 2021. Bold Steps Weekend with Dr. Mark Jobe will be released on Moody-1 Sundays at 6 p.m. CT in place of the current second release of Moody Presents.

WayFM/Huntsville Promotions Director Hannah-Ruth Lashley exits to join mainstream newstalk WVNN/Athens as Director of Brand Partnerships & Promotions for Hometown Heartbeat’s Boomer & The Beard show.

Former KVNE/Tyler air personality Jeff Johnson has joined KVUT/Tyler as Director of Operations. KVUT is the soon-to-be-launched public radio station at The University of Texas at Tyler.

The station plans to be on the air in the first quarter of this year.

The anniversary of the first “religious” broadcast on radio hit the 100 year milestone on Jan 2nd.

On January 2, 1921, KDKA/Pittburgh broadcast the church services from Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, PA. The Rev. Lewis B. Whittemore, an associate pastor of the church, conducted the service, thus becoming the first Christian broadcaster. In 1938 the Federal Council of Churches petitioned the National Association of Broadcasters and the Federal Communications Commission formally requesting that all paid religious programs be barred from the air. The major radio networks at this time donated time to the three major divisions of organized religion in the United States: Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Judaism.

Milestones:
Ross McCampbell celebrates 31 years at WBCL/Ft Wayne

Prayer List:
Laci Caviness
Brian Dumont
Erica Parkerson