The FCC filing reveals the nine stations and four translators across eight markets included in the deal between Salem and Immaculate Heart Media.
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Atlanta: Business “Biz 1190” WAFS Atlanta
Boston: Spanish Christian “Radio Luz” 1150 WWDJ Boston
Dallas: Spanish Christian “Radio Luz 1440” KTNO University Park
Denver: Business “Money Talk 1690” KDMT Arvada
Houston: Business 1110 KTEK Alvin/96.1 K241CM Houston
San Antonio: Conservative Talk “Freedom 1160” KRDY San Antonio
St. Louis: Gospel “Praise 95.1” 1260 WSDZ Belleville IL/95.1 K236CS St. Louis and Conservative Talk “1380 The Answer” KXFN/105.3 287BY St. Louis
Youngstown: “The Word” 1440 WHKZ/107.5 W298CX Youngstown
Salem will retain the KTNO call letters currently on 1440 Dallas, while Immaculate Heart Media will have an option to purchase the transmitter site of 1380 KXFN St. Louis up to ten days before closing of the deal. A Time Brokerage Agreement will be agreed to allowing Immaculate Heart Media to begin programming the stations before closing. It is expected to take effect on October 1.
The deal will see Salem exit St. Louis and Youngstown, while the company will continue to hold on to multiple stations in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston and San Antonio.
Original Report 8/15: Weeks after acquiring four AMs and three translators in Miami and Tampa from Salem Media for $8,218,875, Immaculate Heart Media has struck another deal to purchase nine more AMs and four translators in eight markets for $8,732,125.
The Catholic “Relevant Radio” operator will add presently unknown stations from Salem in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, San Antonio, and St. Louis as well as “The Word” 1440 WHKZ/107.5 W298CX Youngstown OH.
Following the closing of these deals, Immaculate Heart Media will have a national reach of 220,000,000 people over 163 owned or affiliated stations including 22 of the top 25 markets. This is the third acquisition Immaculate Heart Media has made from Salem this year as the company also purchased 1260 WSPZ Washington DC (now WQOF) for $750,000 in March.
Relevant Radio® has entered into an agreement with Salem Media Group (NASDAQ: SALM) to purchase nine AM stations and four FM translators in eight markets. Salem Media Group has agreed to sell stations to Relevant Radio in Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, St. Louis, Denver, and Youngstown for $8,732,125. This transaction, combined with purchases earlier this year of Salem stations in Washington, D.C., Miami, and Tampa, will allow Relevant Radio to expand its reach by an additional 60,000,000 persons.
In total, Relevant Radio is purchasing 14 AM stations and 7 FM translators from Salem for $17,700,000. The addition of these new stations will give Relevant Radio overall coverage of 220,000,000 people in the United States over a network of 163 owned and operated and affiliate stations.
“We are grateful to God and our supporters that we can reach more souls with our inspiring and life-changing programs, spreading a message of hope and peace across America,” said Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, Executive Director/CEO of Relevant Radio. “Salem has a well-earned reputation of maintaining their stations in excellent condition and we are fortunate to make this purchase at this time”, said Hoffman.
With the purchase of these stations, Relevant Radio will broadcast in all top ten markets, and 22 of the top 25 markets, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Tom Vorpahl, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “It is very humbling and rewarding to experience how powerful the message of the Gospel is and can be to our listeners. We look forward to continuing our Mission of sharing the Truth and Beauty of the Church in these new markets.”
Mark Jorgenson of Jorgenson Broadcast Brokerage facilitated the transaction, with Mark Denbo serving Relevant Radio as FCC counsel and Nicolet Bank of Green Bay, Wisconsin providing the financing.
The Relevant Radio schedule of popular programs such as The Patrick Madrid Show, The Drew Mariani Show™, Father Simon Says™, Morning Air®, St. Joseph’s Workshop, and Family Rosary Across America®, can be heard on all Relevant Radio stations as well as online at relevantradio.com, on smart speakers, and on the Relevant Radio mobile app.
Off-hand, this should result in three more markets where both IHM/Relevant Radio and La Promesa/Guadalupe Radio operate (first D.C.; now also DFW, Houston, and San Antonio). Also, St. Louis is the primary market for another Catholic group: the Covenant Network.