Industry News Bits THU 3-16-23
Fundraisers this week .. KKJM/St Cloud .. WBSN/New Orleans .. Moody Radio .. KBMQ/Monroe .. KLRC/Siloam Springs.. Worship 24/7 .. WZDG/Wilmington .. 89.9 The Light/Melbourne
Nielsen February PPM are due starting this Monday. We’ll have NYC, Chicago, Dallas and more posted on Day One. Christian Radio Ratings are sponsored by Dunham+Company on HisAir. Catch up with last months numbers HERE.
WayFM has made a few changes to its on air line-up.
Joy Summers (at left) is back from maternity leave and has moved to middays so she can have a more flexible family schedule. Bekah Eaker is on afternoons solo and Carder Price (formerly midday) is tracking late nights in Way Fm. Bekah and Summers teamed up last September to co-host afternoons. Prior to that ands starting in 2018, Summers co-hosted afternoon on CJ (Lusk) & Joy.
Joy told HisAir, “When you experience big life changes, your priorities change too. After the birth of my second child, I realized I needed a schedule that worked better with my family in this unique season. Being on Christian radio is a dream, but I also wanted to be a more present mom. I am insanely thankful to Hope Media group for finding a way for me to do both with this new midday schedule! I am sad to leave afternoons after 8 years, but I don’t think I will regret putting more focus on my kids while they are so little.”
The deal between the University of Northwestern Media to purchase Lake Area Educational Broadcasting Foundation is worth $1.25 million. In the deal announced yesterday on HisAir, NWM acquires 15 full signal FMs, eight FM translator signals, and six construction permits, including KCVO/Camdenton, MO (Spirit FM).
Christian Radio Business:
Divine Word Communications has submitted a purchase agreement of $225,000 to acquire classic rock station WTKP/Port Saint Joe, FL (93.5) from Omni Broadcasting. It’s the first station purchase for Divine Word.
The consolidation of two religious broadcasters in Kentucky is underway as
George Fleming’s Pennyrile Christian Community merges with Darrell and Dianne Gibson’s Heartland Ministries. Heartland Ministries’ gospel WVHM/Benton, KY (90.5), CCM “Elevate 89.7” WAAJ/Benton, and “Thrive FM” WTRT/Benton (88.1) will merge into Pennyrile Christian Community. In addition, Heartland will contribute one FM translator, W206BB at 89.1 FM, licensed in Madisonville, KY, which simulcasts WVHM. Pennyrile Christian Community currently owns WNKJ/Hopkinsville, KY (89.3) and WNLJ/Madisonville, KY (91.7).
EMF has submitted a purchase agreement of $150,000 to acquire WVIE/Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands (107.3) from Virgin Islands Radio Entertainment, which is owned by RJ Watkins. This will mark EMF’s initial station acquisition in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and WVIE has been broadcasting the “K-LOVE” since late February.
In February, Susie Pek assumed the role of global director for TWR Women of Hope, and she has wasted no time making an impact. Mission Network News recently featured Pek in honor of International Women’s Day. Pek took over from Peggy Banks, who had led the ministry for six years before moving on to another organization.
MNN quoted Pek as saying that she hopes to expand the ministry’s reach through additional programming and the use of social media to connect with women around the world. Pek is based in São Paulo, Brazil, and previously served as the ministry’s regional coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean. She is also an author and broadcaster.
To learn more about Pek and TWR Women of Hope, be sure to read the full MNN report HERE.
The NRB has reiterated its opposition to federal lawmakers’ proposals of making DST permanent. The organization sent letters to Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as Chair Maria Cantwell and Ranking Member Ted Cruz of the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation, urging them to vote against the bills proposing to make daylight savings time permanent (H.R.1279 and S.582) in their current form when taken under consideration by their respective committees.
The NRB and other broadcasters have emphasized that the current regulatory framework governing AM radio licenses would be adversely affected by a permanent shift to DST, as it would significantly impact the “morning drive” daypart, which is a crucial part of the radio broadcasting day from both a content and advertising standpoint.
Salem announced the launch of the podcast show Retirement for Real on Salem-owned SeniorResource.com. Retirement for Real is an investment podcast designed to help retirees make sensible financial decisions in retirement. Show host, Lena Armuth says, “Today’s investors deserve to know that investing is simple, affordable, and accessible to all!” Retirement for Real is on a mission to provide a better experience for today’s investors. Nothing fancy. No overly-complicated or complex solutions. Just the fundamentals explained in a way that is simple.
Delaware based The Bridge of Hope, Inc launched WNJH/Hammonton, NJ (105.5 FM) 2 years ago today. The new signal covers much of Southern New Jersey. The station is operated by the owners of WKNZ/Harrington (The Bridge). … Video of New Jersey launch is HERE
Milestones:
WWIL/Wilmington, NC celebrates 30 years on the air today
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