Educational Media Foundation will pay $6 million for KFMK.
The deal also specifies that on November 1, KFMK will initiate a Network Affiliation Agreement with EMF placing the Christian AC “K-Love” network on 105.9. The network currently is heard in Austin on the trimulcast of 92.5 KVLR Sunset Valley/Austin, 92.1 KYLR Hutto/Round Rock and 91.9 KLLR Dripping Springs while “Air 1” airs on 92.9 K225CA Austin/KVLR-HD2.
The deal also includes a lease of an HD subchannel on 92.5 KVLR to air programming from Crista for two years after closing.
Original Report 9/22: Educational Media Foundation will be expanding its holdings in Austin TX with the purchase of Christian AC “Spirit 105.9” KFMK Round Rock from Crista Ministries.
EMF will begin operating KFMK on November 1 ahead of closing. No terms of the deal have been announced yet.
EMF already operates “K-Love” on the Austin area trimulcast of 92.5 KVLR Sunset Valley/Austin, 92.1 KYLR Hutto/Round Rock and 91.9 KLLR Dripping Springs while “Air 1” airs on 92.9 K225CA Austin/KVLR-HD2.
Crista Ministries purchased KFMK in 2010 from iHeartMedia’s Aloha Stations Trust for $6.25 million. Crista will retain its two stations in Seattle and one in Bellingham WA.
CRISTA Media, part of the CRISTA family of ministries, has entered into an asset purchase agreement to transition SPIRIT 105.9 (KFMK) in Austin to Educational Media Foundation (EMF), operators of the K-LOVE radio network.
The sale is expected to close upon approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). K-LOVE programming on 105.9 is anticipated to commence in early November.
Seattle-based CRISTA Media, established in 1954, operates three stations in western Washington: SPIRIT 105.3 (KCMS), PRAISE 106.5 (KWPZ), and 630 KCIS, along with the allmomdoes digital platform and digital streaming stations SkyCountry Radio, LIFT Radio and Quiet Time Radio.
In 2010, CRISTA Media acquired KFMK and converted the station to a Christian Adult Contemporary music format to serve greater Austin.
Stated CRISTA Media Vice President, TJ Malievsky: “After 10 incredible years, the time has arrived for our ministry to pass the baton to our friends at Educational Media Foundation. We prayerfully express our gratitude to the incredible people of greater Austin, including our dedicated SPIRIT 105.9 staff and loyal listeners. As our ministry streamlines our operations to be within our deep roots and footprint in the Pacific Northwest, we are excited to know that uplifting Christian music and messages will continue to be delivered to the Austin market.”
