Joyful Transformation: Beloved Christian Music Radio Station in North Texas Transforms Through Monumental National Deal
A North Texas Christian radio station, 94.9 KLTY, is undergoing a significant transition, as it changes ownership from Salem Media Group to the Educational Media Foundation (EMF) in an $80 million deal. This sale affects not only KLTY but also six other contemporary Christian music stations across the nation. EMF, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, owns two major Christian music networks, K-LOVE and Air1, and plans to take over the 94.9 frequency. The transaction, set to conclude in the first half of 2025, also involves a $10 million package for marketing and advertising.
Salem Media Group’s executive chairman, Edward Atsinger, revealed that the move is a strategic exit from the Contemporary Christian Music format to clear the company’s long-term debt. He praised EMF for its dedication to high-quality Christian music, expressing confidence in the positive influence they will continue to have on listeners and communities.
However, this business maneuver is bittersweet for the local team at KLTY. Long-term employees, like Mike Prendergast, who has served for 19 years, and morning radio host Bonnie Curry, are facing job losses as a result. Sharing her sentiments through a heartfelt social media post, Curry called the transition a “painful” moment but remained hopeful, trusting in future opportunities to reconnect with listeners on air.
Since its inception in 1985, KLTY has been a beloved part of the North Texas community, with its call sign acronym encapsulating a spirit of warmth and local pride: “Keep Lovin’ Texas Ya’ll.” As listeners prepare for this change, KLTY’s legacy in Christian broadcasting holds a cherished place, and the community looks forward to how EMF will continue this tradition under K-LOVE’s banner. In closing, while the impending changes bring a sense of loss, they also signal the start of a new chapter in Christian radio broadcasting.
Original Story https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2024/12/31/christian-music-radio-station-in-north-texas-sold-as-part-of-larger-national-deal/
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