Industry News Bits THU 12-22-22

THE HISAIR NEWSROOM REMAINS OPEN ALL THRU THE HOLIDAYS… SEND YOUR STATION/LABEL NEWS TO ted@hisair.net

UPDATE: The FCC met its deadline today to initiate a review of radio and television ownership regulations for 2022. This action occurred despite the ongoing review from 2018, referred to by the FCC as “pendency.” No proposed rule changes were announced, but the FCC has opened a comment period to begin the regulatory process.

The media ownership rules established by the FCC have been the subject of legal challenges and judicial review in recent years. In 2010, 2014, and 2018, various proceedings involving these rules were contested in federal courts, leading to a state of uncertainty. In April 2021, the Supreme Court overturned the FCC’s reasoning for maintaining mostly unchanged media ownership rules, as part of an appeal of one of these proceedings.

HLE Records announces its return in January 2023. First established twenty-two years ago, HLE Records had a roster of nine artists and twenty-two releases before being put on hold after label-head Hunter Logan re-committed his life to Jesus Christ. Now, after the signing of six new artists, the time is right for the return of the label.

Those artists recently signed to HLE Records include Shelly Wilson, James and John, Steve Roberson, Matt Foster, Hadlei Klair and Hunter Logan himself. The first radio releases of the re-launched label are set to be released to Christian Country Radio in January of 2023. HLE Records also looks to contribute to the Christian Country genre by offering original songs for artists in need of material as well as in-house publishing, studio recording services and distribution. Currently there are plans for HLE Records to sign more Christian Country Artists.

HLE Radio radio based in Jennings, LA is operated by Hunter Logan. 

KVNE/Tyler along with its sister stations, Fuzión, Lift Worship and The Well, had a record breaking drive for Care Packages this month.

Jennifer Bailey, VP of Marketing/Promotions said, “We have partnered with HiWay80 Rescue Mission for several years and this Christmas we had more than 2150 care packages donated by our East Texas community. During a difficult economic season for many, we are blown away by the outpouring of love and support from our listeners. Glory to God!”

FCC REPORT:

The Educational Media Foundation (EMF) has reached an agreement to purchase WBZV/Hudson, Michigan for $285,000. The station is owned by Madsun Investments, a company owned by William Sours, who purchased WBZV in 2020 for $230,000. This will be the Educational Media Foundation’s first ownership of a station in the Hudson area. The broker for the deal was Jon Yinger of Broadcast Properties.

EMF completed a deal to acquire two Air1 affiliates. KXMK/Oatman, AZ (101.3) and KLOVE affiliate KSFQ/Thatcher, AZ (90.9), from Good News Radio Broadcasting.

Great Plains Christian Radio announced a deal to purchase KZUH/Minneapolis, KS from Rocking M Media for $280,000. The sale is part of Rocking M’s bankruptcy reorganization. Great Plains Christian Radio already owns KJIH (89.9) and KJRL (105.7) in the same market. The broker for the sale was Greg Guy of Patrick Communications.

Family Life Ministries based in Bath, NY is purchasing WGCC/Batavia, NY (90.7 FM) for $55,000 from Genesee Community College. WGCC was first launched on November 13, 1985 and is known for being the most powerful community college radio station in New York, with 880 watts of power. Family Life Ministries currently owns 35 full-power religious stations in New York and Pennsylvania.

KIJN/Farwell, TX, (92.3) a class C FM has requested a minor change to relocate its transmitter site to a new tower in Umbarger, Texas and to increase its effective radiated power. The station has a current power output of 100,000 watts, is licensed to the Top O’ Texas Educational Broadcasting Foundation (TOTEBF) and broadcasts a religious format called the Kingdom Keys Network Christian Radio. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has requested additional evidence in support of the proposed modification.

The town of Umbarger, Texas is situated approximately 67 miles to the northeast of Farwell.  If the FCC approves the request, the radio station will be relocated much closer to Amarillo which is ranked as the 168th market in the Nielsen market rankings. Umbarger is approximately 28 miles southwest of Amarillo. According to the FCC filing this week, there are several requirements that must be met in order to modify an FM license and specify a new community of license without competing expressions of interest.

Prayer List:
Faron Dice

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