Industry News Bits 3-19-18
Variety reports Roadside Attractions-Lionsgate’s faith-based “I Can Only Imagine” has crushed early box office forecasts with a surprisingly strong $17.1 million at 1,629 locations in North America. Recent estimates for “I Can Only Imagine” had been in the $2 million-$8 million range. Budgeted at just $7 million.
The pre-Easter corridor is often used to launch faith-based films. Sony will open “Paul, Apostle of Christ” on March 23, while Pureflix’s threequel “God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness” will debut March 30, the start of Easter weekend. “I Can Only Imagine” finished in third place at the domestic box office behind “Tomb Raider” and Disney-Marvel’s “Black Panther.
Numerous Christian Radio stations hosted showings of the movie in sold out theaters.
KSBJ/Houston GM Tim McDermott did his final Sunday morning show “Enter His Gates” yesterday. His Sunday morning Worship music program had an 18 year run on KSBJ. Tim says, “What a joy it was to work with such great people over the years – Troy West, Jim Beeler, David Goddard, Stacy Brooks and more. Plus all the artists who came by to co-host. Thank you! Now I can finally go to church on Sunday mornings”.
After 27 years at the helm, Tim’s final day at KSBJ is today. Tim told HisAir.Net last month, “There are some dreams in my heart that I have wanted to pursue and I believe God is telling me now is the time to pursue them. Some of those dreams include helping other Christian radio stations grow and impact their city. I have also thought about focusing on using my CPA more as well as helping CEO’s be successful with their boards. And if God leads me to another broadcast operation outside Houston, I am open to that, too. I just want to take everything I am and surrender it to God and then let Him direct us. I hope you will be praying for Trudy and me.”
February PPM numbers start to roll out to day from Nielsen Audio. Day 1 results include the Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Houston markets. Cume numbers for Christian Radio will be posted after 5pm ET today on HisAir.Net. Christian Radio ratings on HisAir.Net are sponsored by ShareMedia Services.
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