Salem sells it's CCM stations to EMF

[Delete My Account]

But the FCC does not consider anything except technical requirements in licensing stations. On FM, they dedicated a portion of the band to non-com stations, but did not prohibit using a 92.1 and above station as a non-profit operation.

So, there is no restriction on non-commercial operation on the rest of the FM band... as well as anywhere on AM... there is no legal or moral prohibition for them.

I wasn't implying NCE operation couldn't be allowed in the rest of the band. Merely pointing out that these were licensed as commercial frequencies - which the FCC does consider for purposes of market caps and transactions, how many in a market to how many operators, etc.

My point is not that in 2025 it's not "helpful" to the remaining commercial stations. I'm sure it is. But it's another question if they get to arbitrarily shrink their amount of competition. It's selectively applying the free market principles most of these companies and managers claim to have. If it's truly a free market, then it's a jungle out there - survive or turn the license back in and some other party (arguably, with most of these signals, making a gamble) have their run at it.

I don't think it will change to that, nor am I advocating it. Just saying there's another way to view it, survival of the fittest. If there's too many stations, then let them go off the air - but it's a bit fortunate that these sellers can literally "disappear" a signal from the consequences good or bad of the commercial marketplace. While EMF may take some listeners, it's not taking any revenues from them.

 

[RadioRonnie285]

I keep looking at the great signals in big markets that salem will still own after Klove gets the music Fms. But I dont see Klove eventually buying anything else from Salem because they dont need those signals. 105.1 DC 101.5 Pittsburgh 100.7 Houston, colorado springs and Dallas 99.5 LA ect . So who knows Tampa is the largest with no EMF
.

 

[xmusicmatt]

From what I hear it's also likely history - a majority of its talent is tracked or originates out of Atlanta's Fish. (I know the morning show is based there).

I know of one affiliate who has not heard anything yet either and airs their "TCM programming' in most dayparts. they still have quite a few affiliates - I know of at least 2 here in my state that will have to scramble for other formats/content.

Just a follow up on this - I got word from someone I know that TCM will continue past 2/1 as it will be absorbed as a secondary format for the folks who own "Christian FM" syndication (basically a second network with different talent). Will be interesting if they keep key talent like "Kevin and Taylor"

 

[RadioRonnie285]

Kevin and Taylor have been doing mornings for longer than the Fish Atlanta exists since they started at Way fm WEST pALM BEACH. i DO NOT KNOW how long they were together in South FLA before moving to the ATL

 

[PTBoardOp93]

Just a follow up on this - I got word from someone I know that TCM will continue past 2/1 as it will be absorbed as a secondary format for the folks who own "Christian FM" syndication (basically a second network with different talent). Will be interesting if they keep key talent like "Kevin and Taylor"

It's strange that there's been no press release on the status of TCM, or a even a leak of an "affiliates only" letter, at any point since Salem's sale was announced.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Kevin and Taylor have been doing mornings for longer than the Fish Atlanta exists since they started at Way fm WEST pALM BEACH. i DO NOT KNOW how long they were together in South FLA before moving to the ATL

There is also a Kevin Taylor (Serenade Radio) who broadcasts from Palm Springs. Probably not well known other than by standards fans.

 

[RadioRonnie285]

At least 1 early Fish left after 7 years and sold to K love in Milwaukee another short term Fish in Chicago for a couple years traded to Univision.

 

[xmusicmatt]

It's strange that there's been no press release on the status of TCM, or a even a leak of an "affiliates only" letter, at any point since Salem's sale was announced.

I agree - it's weird. I would consider what I said as reliable information given the source, but I am not privy to anything affiliates may or not have not been told.

 

[RadioRonnie285]

Salem has some more great big market signals airing its preaching format WAVA KKLA WORD for example but I do not see EMF NEEDING those stations.

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

Salem has some more great big market signals airing its preaching format WAVA KKLA WORD for example but I do not see EMF NEEDING those stations.

Salem isn't interested in selling those.

 

[xmusicmatt]

Salem has some more great big market signals airing its preaching format WAVA KKLA WORD for example but I do not see EMF NEEDING those stations.

The Preaching and Teaching signals are pure profit as they charge for airtime! The only cost (is in time) to Salem is loading the files in automation and that can be easily done in a shared production role with one of their conservative talkers.

 

[NYAZSporty]

Officially official,Salem is transferring ownership of its music networks, Today's Christian Music & Today's Worship Music to Christian FM, owners of SmartRadio Suite. Christian FM Media Takes Over Salem Music Networks

 

[xmusicmatt]

Salem is transferring ownership of its music networks, Today's Christian Music & Today's Worship Music to Christian FM, owners of SmartRadio Suite. Christian FM Media Takes Over Salem Music Networks

Yep, I called this out on 1/25 on a previous comment

"Just a follow up on this - I got word from someone I know that TCM will continue past 2/1 as it will be absorbed as a secondary format for the folks who own "Christian FM" syndication (basically a second network with different talent). Will be interesting if they keep key talent like "Kevin and Taylor""

 

[secondchoice]

It is still hard to believe that a "tax exempt Christan" organization felt it necessary to go in debt to take out another ministry. According to another poster KLove has the "Fish" Intellectual Property" too. I wonder if they are going to allow other broadcasters use the "Fish"? I would hope so. Otherwise IMHO it's more about the "building the Empire" than reaching the masses with the Christian message.

I still can't rationalize this with the 10th commandment's coviting other folks properties. If you read back in the 1920's even the Bears and the Packers helped each other out for the overall good of the game.

I hope KLove has an in house system to detect unscrupulous record promoters. I am not accusing anyone of anything. I just hope the Allen Freed incident stays just history..

 

[TheBigA]

It is still hard to believe that a "tax exempt Christan" organization felt it necessary to go in debt to take out another ministry.

You brought this up earlier. This view ignores the fact that Salem was on the verge of bankruptcy. The stock was trading under $1. They were selling off assets. They were in danger of shutting down completely. EMF came in and rescued Salem from imminent demise. When you look at it that way, things are very different. They didn't "covet" another ministry, or "take out" another ministry. They in fact SAVED it. Had they not bought these stations, they might have fallen into the hands of an organization that didn't share the same mission.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

You brought this up earlier. This view ignores the fact that Salem was on the verge of bankruptcy. The stock was trading under #1. They were selling off assets. They were in danger of shutting down completely. EMF came in and rescued Salem from imminent demise. When you look at it that way, things are very different. They didn't "covet" another ministry, or "take out" another ministry. They in fact SAVED it. Had they not bought these stations, they might have fallen into the hands of an organization that didn't share the same mission.

I cant imagine their often true fake news spewing AM's with often marginal signals helped financials anyways

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

You brought this up earlier. This view ignores the fact that Salem was on the verge of bankruptcy. The stock was trading under $1. They were selling off assets. They were in danger of shutting down completely. EMF came in and rescued Salem from imminent demise. When you look at it that way, things are very different. They didn't "covet" another ministry, or "take out" another ministry. They in fact SAVED it. Had they not bought these stations, they might have fallen into the hands of an organization that didn't share the same mission.

Actually it was WaterStone who saved Salem, by paying off their debt.

 

[TheBigA]

Actually it was WaterStone who saved Salem, by paying off their debt.

That was one of three things that saved the company, according to the CEO::

David Santrella, Salem’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Upon the closing of these three transactions, we will have transformed and significantly improved Salem’s balance sheet and capital structure.

The sale of the radio stations was another.

Salem Media Group Substantially Strengthens its Balance Sheet by Repaying All $159.4 Million of its Long-Term Debt and Brings in New Strategic Investor

investor.salemmedia.com

The stock isn't completely out of trouble, although it jumped from 20 cents to 70 cents.

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/SALM/

 

[xmusicmatt]

It is still hard to believe that a "tax exempt Christan" organization felt it necessary to go in debt to take out another ministry. According to another poster KLove has the "Fish" Intellectual Property" too. I wonder if they are going to allow other broadcasters use the "Fish"? I would hope so. Otherwise IMHO it's more about the "building the Empire" than reaching the masses with the Christian message.

This was a win win for Salem and a win win for EMF (K-Love, Inc). Salem needed the cash and unloaded their full market "Fish" FMs to a Christian operator who will take them non-com and out of competition for ad dollars against Salem. EMF (K-Love, Inc) wins because they got some additional full-market signals (in markets they likely wanted to enter anyways and are able to place their K-Love or Air1 National Networks in these locations on ideal signals).

 

[Kent]

This was a win win for Salem and a win win for EMF (K-Love, Inc). Salem needed the cash and unloaded their full market "Fish" FMs to a Christian operator who will take them non-com and out of competition for ad dollars against Salem.

Salem doesn’t compete much in the ad market. That was one of the reasons CBS divested what was then KEWS 94.9 to Salem in the first place.

I’m sure Salem would’ve loved to have kept the stations, but, like you said, it had to do something to get itself out of debt.