Agreed. In most markets where Salem operates, their best signal (in this case FM 100.7) airs the paid religion format. It makes money like crazy. The second best signal (in this case 660) carries the Conservative Talk format. Ratings aren't great, but stations mostly air the network shows which Salem already owns and syndicates to other broadcasters, so expenses are low. And it serves the owners' political goals, so even if it doesn't make much money, they're happy with it all the same. Larger markets have a few of their own shows, while medium to smaller markets run the national network all day.
Then depending on the local Hispanic population, the third best signal airs either a paid Business format or the Spanish Religion (Radio Luz) format. And in some markets where it has an FM signal, such as Atlanta and the Orange County suburbs of LA, it airs a Christian Contemporary format called "The Fish." But unlike K-Love or The Way-FM, it is a for-profit service, airing local and national commercials. Radio Luz is also a for-profit service, with national and local Spanish-speaking preachers paying Salem for the time.
My guess is they'll keep Radio Luz on 1440 and use 620 for the Business format. Which is really a format to take the money from get-rich-quick broadcasters who'll pay for the time, with a few legit business shows or syndicated material from Bloomberg, to establish the station's credentials. I may be critical of the content but Salem does turn a tidy profit in good times and bad. While iHeart and Cumulus are in serious debt, Salem has no debt and its stock price keeps going up.
