"WAGG-FM" to eventually move?

[passtheword]

Tom Taylor Now is reporting that Edgewater Broadcasting is donating its 5 stations and 67 translators to another nonprofit christian group, Radio by Grace, based in Amarillo, TX, which currently owns two FMs in the Amarillo area. Many of these translators are being leased by for-profit entities such as Iheart Radio and other groups. Summit Media here in Birmingham is leasing one of the 67 translators being donated, which is W261BX at 100.1 FM, currently rebroadcasting WAGG/WBHJ HD3. No word on whether Radio By Grace will convert W261BX to its own programming or be willing to sell/lease the translator or others to the parties currently leasing them. The leased stations in the group might not be changing to RBG's programming right away, as those stations are under contract, but later on in time, it's anybody's guess. Summit Media owns W297BF (Birmingham Mountain Radio) at 107.3 and the unbuilt W222BK move in from Pelham at 92.3, so those might be options if WAGG has to move. There's also WPYA too that Summit Media could "blow up" and use for a WAGG-FM as well. Personally, I hope that Birmingham Mountain Radio doesn't get shelved for a rebroadcast of WAGG, either on 107.3 or if Summit Media were to move BMR to 92.3.

Here's the story on Tom Taylor (see fifth story down from page):
https://mailchi.mp/tomtaylornow/tom-taylor-now-124977?e=718fdca701

 

[tomservo]

I would think the contracts to carry secular and commercial programming would be a lot more lucrative to the new owners than blowing it all up for whatever radio programming they would offer. Down here in Darwin's waiting room, iHeart has two leased translators from Edgewater, although one relays Edgewater's Freedom Radio FM brand while the other does sports talk. That's three leases with steady income just in Alabama alone, there's certainly more elsewhere judging by the list I saw in the asset transfer agreement.

The new owners would likely change WLOG and the other "primary" stations, which would affect the translators that relay them, but… the ones leased out? I dunno. They'd be better off leasing or selling those.

 

[passtheword]

I had considered it might be a possibility that Radio By Grace might at least continue to lease or outright sell those translators that are currently being operated by outside parties, as a means to funnel more $ back into the ministry. I mentioned the sale to a pastor friend of mine who told me that he surmised if this ministry is Calvary Chapel related (which he believes it is), they’ll take over the entirety of what is donated to them, I'm presuming for their own ministry use. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out, regardless.