Industry News Bits Wed 6-30-21

WGTS/Wash DC expands the ministry to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware with the official sign on of WGBZ/Ocean City, Md. (88.3, FM). In March WGTS announced its purchase of WRAU from American University in Washington, D.C. The new call letters are WGBZ.  The station will cover over 500,000 residents in the Eastern Shore region.

“This is a dream that has been 20 years in the making,” said WGTS general manager Kevin Krueger. “We can’t wait to see how God uses this signal to reach our listeners as they vacation on the Eastern Shore. We hope that hearts may be even more open to the Gospel when people are unwinding. This station is a brand-new opportunity to touch existing listeners as well as full-time residents of our beach communities.”

Pictured WGTS GM Kevin Krueger shares the vision of the new station. Left to right: GM Kevin Krueger, afternoon show host Stacey Stone, morning show producer Spencer White, midday show host Becky Alignay, and board member Terry Johnsson. 

At the NAB Board of Directors meeting held June 28-29. Salem Media Group President of Broadcast Media David Santrella was elected chairman of the NAB Joint Board of Directors. Santrella takes over from Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television, Inc., whose term expired.

Today is Jim Stephens last day as Carolina Christian Radio, Inc/Wilmington, NC President/GM. Stephens announced his retirement earlier this month. He started Carolina Christian Radio and WWIL/Wilmington (Life 90.5) over 28 years ago. After serving the Lord faithfully, he and his wife Cynthia will enjoy a well-deserved retirement close to family.

Longtime Carolina Christian Radio employee Matt Wall, currently VP Development, will replace Stephens as President/GM.

The results are in from the 2021 Finney Media Why Listen® Survey…and they will be revealed Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET. 

During this 30-minute webinar, we’ll reveal:

• How your listener rates her Christian radio station and program.
• What are her top reasons for listening.
• *New* The role podcasts and social media play in your listener’s world.
• And more!

Registration is now open. Reserve your spot for this FREE results webinar HERE

The former head of the Evangelical Alliance, Joel Edwards passed away from cancer on Wednesday morning. Edwards was a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day and a popular broadcaster, speaker, writer and commentator on race, the Church and current affairs.

Edwards was a British immigrant from Jamaica. He spent the best part of his career as a figurehead for evangelicals, joining the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance in 1988, and then going on to lead the UK Evangelical Alliance as General Director from 1997 until 2009.

Prayer List:
Jim Murray (Gaither Vocal Band)
Al Ross
Bryan O’Neal
Darien Southerland (mother)