PAR Sponsors 18-City Tour To Launch Nationwide Apps
Positive Alternative Radio is helping to sponsor an 18-city concert tour featuring Casting Crowns and We The Kingdom to launch a unique app designed to reach and serve a national audience, according to Executive Vice President Brian Sanders.
The Encouraging Radio App for Apple and Android smart phones and devices is also available on smart tv platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. It features all of PAR’s stations, as well as Christian oldies-focused Positive Gold and a Christmas music anytime format called The Gift.
“The most unique aspect of Encouraging Radio is how local listeners can connect with their communities,” Sanders said. “You type in your town or zip code and you will see a list of ministries in your area where you can serve.”
Sanders added that for now, the “Local Impact” feature of Encouraging Radio will connect users to non-profits in the 18 cities of the concert tour, which is produced by Premier Productions and begins Friday, April 22nd in Tupelo, Mississippi. More cities will be added later. Seven different podcasts, produced by PAR’s stations, can also be accessed on the app, Sanders added.
“This is a significant step forward for Christian Music lovers, especially those who don’t happen to live in a market currently served by a local station or network outlet,” Eddie Baker, President of PAR, said. “It also represents our organization serving beyond our local markets.”
Encouraging Radio can be downloaded free at EncouragingRadio.com and in the app stores on any Apple or Android device, as well as on streaming channel stores on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and Roku. For more on the concert tour, visit www.premierproductions.com.
PAR is a non-profit ministry founded in 1985 by Edward Baker’s father, the late Dr. Vernon H. Baker and his mother, Virginia. Today, PAR owns and operates stations and networks in key markets in Virginia, eastern Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina. They include WCQR, broadcasting from Johnson City, Tenn.; Walk FM, Ashland, Ky.; Spirit FM, Lynchburg, Va.; Joy FM, Winston-Salem, N.C. and WPER-FM, Fredericksburg, Va. The stations provide adult contemporary and Gospel music, as well as Christian content available across a variety of digital platforms.