Salem Media Group Sells Seven Christian Radio Stations to EMF for $80 Million
Salem Media Group has sold its seven remaining contemporary Christian music radio stations to the Educational Media Foundation (EMF) for $80 million, pending FCC approval.
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The sold stations include:
- KLTY-FM (Arlington, TX)
- WFSH-FM (Athens, GA)
- WFHM-FM (Cleveland, OH)
- KFSH-FM (La Mirada, CA)
- KKFS-FM (Lincoln, CA)
- KBIQ-FM (Manitou Springs, CO)
- KFIS-FM (Scappoose, OR)
EMF plans to implement its K-LOVE or Air1 Worship Now programming on these stations starting February 1, through a local marketing agreement. EMF currently reaches approximately 18 million weekly listeners through over 1,100 broadcast signals nationwide.
The sale is part of Salem Media Group's strategic plan to eliminate long-term debt. Additional financial arrangements include:
- $10 million advertising and marketing agreement with EMF
- Repurchase of $159.4 million in outstanding senior secured notes
- $40 million Series B convertible preferred stock issuance to WaterStone Foundation
- Extension of revolver line of credit with Siena Lending Group
"We have made a strategic decision to exit the contemporary Christian music format to pay off all of Salem's long-term debt," stated Edward G. Atsinger, Salem Media Group's executive chairman and co-founder. "EMF has demonstrated over many years a unique ability and dedication to creating and distributing the highest quality Christian music content to its listeners in a positive and encouraging way."
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