Salem Media Group, considered one of America’s largest Christian media corporations, has introduced the sale of its remaining Up to date Christian Music (CCM) stations for $80 million, signaling the tip of an period for the broadcaster’s long-running “Fish” model.
The take care of Salem and Instructional Media Basis (EMF), which is anticipated to shut pending regulatory approval, would mark a major turning level for Los Angeles-based Salem and consists of seven outstanding stations throughout the US, a lot of which have lengthy been related to Salem’s “Fish” model, a mainstay in Christian radio.
The stations being bought embody: WFSH (Atlanta), WFHM (Cleveland), KBIQ (Colorado Springs), KLTY (Dallas), KFSH (Los Angeles), KFIS (Portland) and KKFS (Sacramento).
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These high-profile properties have been initially acquired by Salem as a part of its technique to dominate the Christian radio panorama with its “Fish” community, which has been a cornerstone of Christian modern music radio for years. The model, and the stations that carried it, performed a key position in introducing CCM to mainstream audiences, mixing constructive, uplifting music with messages of religion and hope.
Instructional Media Basis (EMF) is likely one of the most influential Christian media organizations within the U.S., with a attain that extends to tens of millions of listeners via its two foremost networks: Okay-LOVE and Air1. Okay-LOVE is a mainstream Christian modern music station that performs in style artists like Lauren Daigle, Chris Tomlin and TobyMac. Air1, then again, focuses on worship music and has a youthful demographic, interesting largely to listeners aged 18 to 34.
With the acquisition of those seven stations, EMF will considerably increase its nationwide footprint, improve its protection space and strengthen its presence in main metropolitan markets resembling Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.
In line with figures from the Nationwide Viewers Measurement Service cited by Salem, Okay-LOVE and Air1 collectively attain over 22 million weekly listeners, making them two of the most important Christian music networks within the nation.
The sale to EMF, which operates the broadly in style Okay-LOVE and Air1 networks, will be certain that these stations proceed broadcasting Christian music however underneath the stewardship of a a lot bigger entity, in keeping with Edward G. Atsinger, Salem’s govt chairman and co-founder.
In an announcement Monday, Atsinger defined the corporate’s strategic choice, noting that the sale would enable the corporate to repay its long-term debt and higher place itself for future progress.
“We now have made a strategic choice to exit the Up to date Christian Music format so as to repay all of Salem’s long-term debt,” he stated. “We couldn’t be extra delighted that the client is EMF. EMF has demonstrated over a few years a novel skill and dedication to creating and distributing the best high quality Christian music content material to its listeners in a constructive and inspiring approach. I’m assured that their affect on listeners and their communities will likely be extremely efficient.”
“As Salem has leaned into its speak and knowledge programming, we’re honored to hold the torch and maintain Christian music flowing over these frequencies,” EMF Interim CEO Tom Stultz stated. “These sturdy stations increase our protection space and assist us ship on our mission to achieve extra individuals with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We really feel it’s an unimaginable alternative to proceed serving listeners with Christian music in these necessary markets.”
Salem will proceed to function its Christian Educating and Discuss, Conservative Information Discuss, and numerous different codecs throughout the nation. As a part of the deal, Salem has additionally entered right into a $10 million advertising settlement with EMF which takes impact in February.
