Industry News Bits Fri 12-3-21
Nielsen Nov PPM Ratings are releasing this week and Monday of next week. Today is day 3 with Charlotte, Nashville, W. Palm Beach plus others being released. Results from Nielsen subscribing stations will be available. Numbers will be posted after 5pm CT on HisAir. Christian Radio Ratings are sponsored by Dunham+Company. Latest numbers are HERE.
Smile FM celebrates its 25th anniversary this week (12/2).
According to Ed Czelada, President and Founder of Smile FM, “We are so blessed by all of the support of our listeners during these 25 years. Look what the Lord has done! So many have told us how Smile FM has ministered to them! It is above and beyond my wildest dreams!”
On Dec 2, 1996, it was a bitter cold day as the tower crew finished the work on the 600-foot tower in Williamston Michigan, signing on WLGH 88.1, (nicknamed “The Light” at that time). It was the first Christian FM station to serve the capital city of Lansing, MI. The first announcer was midday announcer, Faron Dice, and a few hours later, afternoon announcer, Elly Singer received the first listener phone call who exclaimed, “How did you do this?!?! This is a very dark place and it has needed a ‘Light’ for a long time!”
The station was put on the air by faith and with borrowed equipment! It had no budget and no money in the bank! Within days of going on the air the first donation came in!
Today, the Smile FM network covers most of MI and continues to grow with over 30 FM stations across the Great Lakes. Most recently, 103.9 FM was upgraded to cover the Detroit Metro. Smile FM features Christian music and DJs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is entirely listener-supported.
This Christmas Season, KGGN/Hemet, CA (102.5 The Vine) is honored to partner with Valley Community Panty in Hemet, Community Mission of Hope in Temecula, and Community Cupboard in Menifee to Pack the Pantry. The goal is to help these local food pantries get a head start to 2022. Donations to these three food banks are high during the Christmas season but plummet in January.
This is the first Holiday Food Drive for KGGN 102.5 The Vine under General Manager Chris Thompson. “Our listeners have responded well to giving campaigns this year. They donated over 3000 bottles of water this summer, over 1000 diapers last Spring, and more than 50 bibles during a recent Giving Tuesday pledge drive,” says Thompson.
Listeners can find a list of needed items online and can drop off food at many local partner locations. The Vine will also hold drive-thru drop-offs at local Chick-Fil-A locations.
Melissa Chavez exits KSGN/Riverside to join KOLA/Riverside.
WFFH/Nashville (94 FM The Fish) partnered with Men Of Valor on Giving Tuesday 2021 to raise a record-breaking amount in just 13 hours. Listeners generosity provided the opportunity to serve over 700 men with lives being changed and generations impacted.
94 FM The Fish General Manager Kevin Anderson stated, “Over the years I have seen these listeners step up time and time again as we have highlighted needs in our community. While I shouldn’t be surprised, I do continue to be blown away by my neighbors in Middle Tennessee. If there is a group that is more giving, I have not found them. Our partners at Men of Valor live out Mathew 25:36, “I was in prison, and you came to me” daily. Their work is vital and, more than that, Biblically mandated.
KKJM/St. Cloud, MN (Spirit 92.9) listeners and sponsors recently helped provide 3,822 free holiday meals to people in need for Thanksgiving and Christmas. On October 14th, the station held a live on air fundraiser called “More Than A Meal”, giving listeners the opportunity to donate meals for each. The goal was to match the ,000 from the stations business partners and split the money evenly between two local ministries that provide free, homemade meals for the holidays. However, listeners gave so generously that not only did they meet the goal within a couple hours, they continued giving. That enabled the station to give an additional gift to a local homeless mission of ,000 to help provide meals for the holiday season.
KKJM Program Director Jess Hart said; “We’re so proud to serve in a community that cares for each other and comes together when there is a need. Our listeners give so generously whenever presented the opportunity to show God’s love in our area. We’re so grateful for each one who helped make sure no one went without a meal this holiday season.” Pictured Volunteers with Faith Feeds MN package Thanksgiving day meals provided by Spirit 92.9 listeners and sponsors.
Milestones:
David Pierce celebrates 30 years at EMF
Michael Buckingham 26 years at RadioU/Columbus
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