EMF Buying Salem’s Christian Stations
• Educational Media Foundation (EMF) announced that it has reached an agreement with Salem Media Group to add seven signals to its portfolio of radio stations. Pending FCC approval, Salem will divest its group of Contemporary Christian stations serving seven large markets: KLTY-FM/Arlington, TX; WFSH-FM/Athens, GA; WFHM-FM/Cleveland, OH; KFSH-FM/La Mirada, CA; KKFS-FM/Lincoln, CA; KBIQ-FM/Manitou Springs, CO; and KFIS-FM/Scappoose, OR.
“As Salem has leaned into its talk and information programming, we are honored to carry the torch and keep Christian music flowing over these frequencies,” said Tom Stultz, EMF Interim CEO. “These strong stations expand our coverage area and help us deliver on our mission to reach more people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We feel it is an incredible opportunity to continue serving listeners with Christian music in these important markets.”
Edward G. Atsinger, Salem’s co-Founder & Executive Chairman, said, “We have made a strategic decision to exit the Contemporary Christian Music format in order to pay off all of Salem’s long-term debt. We could not be more delighted that the buyer is EMF. EMF has demonstrated over many years a unique ability and dedication to creating and distributing the highest quality Christian music content to its listeners in a positive and encouraging way. I am confident that their impact on listeners and their communities will be incredibly effective.”
EMF plans to install either its K-LOVE or Air1 format on these signals according to market needs. In the meantime, the Ministry hopes to begin programming these stations through an LMA on Feb. 1.
