Congrats To EMF

[GaryTheThompson]

EMF Broadcasting Becomes Largest Christian Music Broadcaster
EMF BROADCASTING launched its 200th radio station in SCRANTON, PA this month, making EMF the largest Contemporary Christian music broadcaster in the world. The combined listening audience of EMF’s Christian AC K-LOVE and Christian CHR AIR-1 radio networks now tops 4.1 million listeners each week, according to ARBITRON, with another 225,000 weekly online streaming listeners (as reported by WEBMETRICS). In addition to the 200 radio stations, K-LOVE and AIR-1 also operate a group of 180 FM transmitters in 44 states.

“The rapid growth of the network is the direct result of a dedicated staff and listener support base, who share our vision to provide ‘positive and encouraging’ radio programming across AMERICA,” says EMF Pres. DICK JENKINS.

EMF began its expansion 18 years ago with one radio station in SANTA ROSA, CA and is now in such markets as CHICAGO, DENVER, PORTLAND, SAN DIEGO, MEMPHIS, PHOENIX and OKLAHOMA CITY For more information on EMF, visit www.emfbroadcasting.com.

 

[northernlightsmedia]

Yeah Congrats. How may local Christian Stations are suffering or have been put to death by EMF?

 

[neutralobserver]

Good question. Look at this:

“The rapid growth of the network is the direct result of a dedicated staff and listener support base, who share our vision to provide ‘positive and encouraging’ radio programming across AMERICA,” says EMF Pres. DICK JENKINS.

Well, if the listener support base really does share the EMF vision, why can it not be told the actual dollars being gathered and their margin above actual expenses, and why must there always be the implied threat of losing "your" station? At what point does nondisclosure become outright dishonesty?

 

[gr8oldies]

I don't doubt WFCJ, WEEC, and WCDR are all taking hits and being hurt by K-Love in Dayton, OH? s it preferable to have no CCM at all (as these stations carry preaching, teaching and soft music)than to have EMF in town? Just asking.

 

[buster2]

I'm not a big fan of K-Love, mostly because they play bland A/C music. As 44 year old man, their product just doesn't float my boat. I like Air 1 a little better, even though it's clearly outside my demographic.

Having established that I have no rooting interest in EMF, I can say that have no problem with EMF's business plan. I know some people claim their tactics are less-than-noble. I don't know about that, but I do know that they are competitive. That's the nature of this and any other business: competition.

Is it fair that when EMF comes into a market a local CCM station is likely to suffer? Perhaps not, but that is the nature of business.

I used to work for a local CCM in Phoenix many years ago. It had a great overall sound - upbeat music, good jocks, but it was stuck on AM. The owner was an out-of-town real estate mogul. In the early 1990s, he bought a rimshot FM and put the music there and added preacher tapes to the AM. Not long after that, K-Love took over another rimshot. The irony is the local station was on 105.3 and K-Love was (and is) on 105.5. One stick is way southeast of town, the other, far to the northwest. Had the local guy really wanted to compete, he could have found a way to get on both 105.3 and 105.5 and owned the market. But he didn't. And since 105.5 was the superior signal, K-Love won that battle. The local station sold the FM signal, went back to AM with music and died a quiet death. The ownership WAS NOT committed to the format.

I wish the old station was still around, but K-Love wanted the market more.

 

[radio4Him]

Good question. Look at this:

“The rapid growth of the network is the direct result of a dedicated staff and listener support base, who share our vision to provide ‘positive and encouraging’ radio programming across AMERICA,” says EMF Pres. DICK JENKINS.

Well, if the listener support base really does share the EMF vision, why can it not be told the actual dollars being gathered and their margin above actual expenses, and why must there always be the implied threat of losing "your" station? At what point does nondisclosure become outright dishonesty?"


Dishonesty seems to run rampant at EMF. This weekend their rep on stage at a concert made a statement concerning their latest sharathon that seems to be contradictory to what was said over the air or what was listed on their own website. Had to do with their many fully funded stations at the beginning of their sharathon. If they were truly fully funded immediately, why the two week continuation of begging. Why the low numbers on the site for each area. Why the panic stricken remarks of going off of the air. Only at the end of the sharathon(?) were any areas listed as fully funded. I smell a big rat here.
I thank whoever put their 990 link on another subject concerning them on this board. Very interesting how poor they are. I have no problem with people being paid and being paid well, and in comparison to what they bring in the percentage of what they make is not excessive. I do have a problem pleading poverty all the time as they live, proven by the 990, very very well. I think though that most listeners would be surprised to know the truth and might feel a little "duped". I remember once when they were new in our area, a small group of women had a little box taking up donations in a church because of their threats of removing themselves from the area due to low support. Of course these poor women didn't know they had a contract since they are leasing the frequency and couldn't just shut the doors.
The guidestar.org site is pretty good, many station's 990 are listed and in comparison don't make quite the salary the "poor" network does. BUT it's not our problem. Our problem is that most local radio gives up when they enter or come near their area and sell out. Why not try and do better and take them on.

 

[vsa]

Buster2 wrote: "I'm not a big fan of K-Love, mostly because they play bland A/C music. As 44 year old man, their product just doesn't float my boat. I like Air 1 a little better, even though it's clearly outside my demographic."

Have you listened to www.BornAgainRadio.com online?

According to your described listening preferences, you may enjoy this CCM station.

 

[kirkiefan]

I have to admire what EMF's K-Love has been doing...they seem to have started a trend of starting a network of repeaters that quite obviously has insprired the likes of CDR Network in Cedarville,OH Joy FM in Toledo, American Family Radio in Tupelo,MS and of course Radio Maria in Alexandria,LA to do the same...Should have been done years ago. If it weren't for the FCC permitting sattellite technology to do this,it would have not came to be. However,somewhere down the road I would love to see a locally originating Joy FM,K-Love and Radio Maria so it doesn't sound so Clear Channel-styled supermarket packaged. Not to ask for secrets but wish K-Love would share their strategies and self-suport programs with RM so it can grow too. Very few(if any)Christian stations allow or offer a Catholic perspective and a spirit of interdenominational unity as well.

 

[neutralobserver]

I don't believe your timeline is particularly accurate.

 

[gr8oldies]

WCDR was into translators since at least 1996.

 

[kirkiefan]

WCDR was into translators since at least 1996.

My apologies for that one...I also apologize about Joy FM in Toledo actually being Yes FM in Toledo with a repeater in Lima...my bad...sorry!

 

[xmusicmatt]

WCDR was into translators since at least 1996.

Yeah they have. If I remember they signed on W201AK 88.1 in Columbus around the time CH6 moved to their new tower here, that was back in 93-94 if I remember.

 

[Daniel911]

EMF

I respect what EMF is doing with K Love, but they way they do their pledge drives is kind of shady. I hear them threatening to pull the plug in the market if they don't get enough monthly supporters.

Their "ministry" brings in like 40 million bucks a year

 

[radio4Him]

Re: EMF

I respect what EMF is doing with K Love, but they way they do their pledge drives is kind of shady. I hear them threatening to pull the plug in the market if they don't get enough monthly supporters.

Their "ministry" brings in like 40 million bucks a year

Most listeners are shocked when they learn that.

 

[radiogeek07]

I have to admire what EMF's K

I've heard of this "Radio Maria," and have seen the website. I also hear they may be buying WING in Dayton?
I love Christian programming, but I really love my ESPN Radio too!
Or is it another station they are looking at?-Love has been doing...they seem to have started a trend of starting a network of repeaters that quite obviously has insprired the likes of CDR Network in Cedarville,OH Joy FM in Toledo, American Family Radio in Tupelo,MS and of course Radio Maria in Alexandria,LA to do the same...Should have been done years ago. If it weren't for the FCC permitting sattellite technology to do this,it would have not came to be. However,somewhere down the road I would love to see a locally originating Joy FM,K-Love and Radio Maria so it doesn't sound so Clear Channel-styled supermarket packaged. Not to ask for secrets but wish K-Love would share their strategies and self-suport programs with RM so it can grow too. Very few(if any)Christian stations allow or offer a Catholic perspective and a spirit of interdenominational unity as well.

 

[techie2]

Religion on WING?...that would stink. I like being able to hear the syndicated NFL games on there when I can't be near a TV. Granted, Sirius has the WW1 feeds for the games that aren't on Sunday afternoons, but I prefer the WW1 announcers to the screaming homers that most NFL teams have doing radio.