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Why exactly are the Family Radio stations for sale?

N

nd2023

Banned
I wonder just how much that doomsday marketing stunt cost Family Radio. Hundreds of people gave their life savings and traveled across the country to warn us of doomsday. Can't believe they spent so much that they have to sell off their 3 major market commercial stations.
 
In a word, money.

Family Radio had some very desirable FM signals that they realized could be sold to commercial interests for top dollar. In addition, they could use some of that money to grab an AM signal in the market and pocket the remaining cash. This is what they did in San Francisco and Philadelphia. The few devoted listeners to FR would likely follow them to the AM band.

I'm guessing the migration to AM in some markets has little to do with Camping's eccentricities.
 
I don't know what exactly Harold Camping/FR spent on that doomsday prophecy campaign, but I want to say I heard it was over $100 million. When you have thousands of people on the streets, many of whom were not locals and needed hotels, travel expenses, etc., a massive billboard campaign (biggest nationally I've seen yet for anything religious), and cars/buses with those "ad-wraps" on them, it adds up pretty fast.

So, given the fact that they have sold their crop of three stations recently for around $80 million, that leaves only $20 mil to scrounge up to cover "Harold's Folly". Chances are, they got most of that in "special" donations anyway.

So, they can get themselves financially solvent and probably come a little bit on top, while still keeping the faithful FR listeners on AM. And the secular listeners get another station to complain about...Win-Win for all!

Radio-X
 
Family Stations recently sold one of its NCE-FMs, WFTI 91.7 Saint Petersburg, Florida, to The Joy FM, another religious group, for $2.5 million. So, it appears Family may not be finished with the spin-offs just yet.
 
A Miami resident, I want to know what the future holds for WMFL, Florida City.
 
jmtillery said:
Family Stations recently sold one of its NCE-FMs, WFTI 91.7 Saint Petersburg, Florida, to The Joy FM, another religious group, for $2.5 million. So, it appears Family may not be finished with the spin-offs just yet.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm.... if so, then they aren't staunchly following their, "NEVER sell ANY station to ANY Christian broadcaster! EVER!", policy anymore. :) That's GOOD!!
 
WPHA said:
jmtillery said:
Family Stations recently sold one of its NCE-FMs, WFTI 91.7 Saint Petersburg, Florida, to The Joy FM, another religious group, for $2.5 million. So, it appears Family may not be finished with the spin-offs just yet.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm.... if so, then they aren't staunchly following their, "NEVER sell ANY station to ANY Christian broadcaster! EVER!", policy anymore. :) That's GOOD!!
Click to expand...

Maybe they couldn't find a college that they could palm it off to. Have you considered that?

Anyway, I won't miss them right here in the big city. Folks living in Westchester/Rockland are going to lose a country music station from this transaction. For those who like that music that would be a negative.
 
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