Industry News Bits Mon 3-28-22

Signing on in March 1962, KHCB/Houston (105.7) is celebrating its 60th of broadcasting. Today KHCB serves as the flagship station for a network of 28 stations.

The phrase “Keeping Him Close By” was coined by Dick Semaan who was the General Manager of KHCB from 1962 to 1963. One day while working on the air, a listener called and said, “Listening to Christian radio is like Keeping Heaven Close By”.

Dick said, “I really like that, but instead of the emphasis on heaven, I think the focus should be on the Lord. So he went on the air and said, “This is KHCB, Keeping Him Close By”. It was an instant hit with listeners and has been the motto of the station ever since.

BOOST RADIO is celebrating its 8th year on the air. The Hip Hop format was launched in March 24, 2014. The station has expanded its reach exponentially since. Expansion includes:

Owner Gateway Creative Broadcasting acquiring the 95.5 signal (WFUN/St Louis) from Urban One in November 2020. The new frequency increased population to two million people.

In March 2021 Gateway Creative Broadcasting teamed with EMF to syndicate the BOOST RADIO brand. First additional market was Chicago. Since, The Twin Cities, Pittsburgh, Fayetteville, NC, and Portland has been added.

Currently Boost is looking for a night personality. Check HERE

Update from TWR on its operations in Ukraine.

• The director for Women of Hope in Ukraine, whom we’re calling Svitlana, has relocated to Central Europe. But she remains in contact with various Ukrainian women. She shared that most of these women had little interest in the things of God in the past, but now many of them are constantly contacting her with all sorts of spiritual questions.
• Some members of the TWR team in Ukraine have been helping to evacuate women, children and handicapped people. They say that some of their passengers are in a panic, while others pray silently. The drivers are able to pray, sing and talk about God with the passengers. “There is certainly a great deal of openness to the gospel message,” reports Frank Stephenson, TWR Europe communications director.
• Praise God that all on the TWR Ukraine team are still alive. Most are still in Ukraine, and they are in areas that are coming under increasing attacks, so please continue to pray for protection and strength during this stressful time. Ask that God would give them the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), and that they would be able to convey that peace to their listeners.

WPOZ/Orlando (Z88.3) afternoon show hosts Shadow & Coppelia celebrate their 3rd year on the air together. Shadow who is a Orlando radio vet with time at local stations CHR WXXL and country WWKA, was teamed with Coppelia who was previously at NGEN Radio/Houston. She also doubles as Program Director for La Z 102.5 /Orlando, Z88.3’s Spanish Christian radio station. Prior to NGEN she was morning co-host with Bill Maier on KSBJ, and KLOVE and Air 1.

Prayer List:
April Sather

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