Educational Media Foundation (EMF) owners of K-Love & Air1 purchase KDJZ FM in Harwood, ND from Tom Ingstad North Dakota Broadcasting for $750,000.  KDJZ is a 25K watt class C3 at 100.7 covering Fargo and parts of Grand Forks. (10/31)

Star 99.1 New York completed its 2003 Sharathon with a generous outpouring of support by loyal listeners, who met the goal of 1.8 million dollars toward the operating expenses of the station. Star 99.1 changed formats to contemporary Christian music in February 2003, station officials said the response was confirmation of the popularity of the change. Under the previous format of talk programs and inspirational music, last year's 6 day Sharathon totaled just over $700,000. The 2003 Sharathon was held for just 3 days, with relatively little disruption of Star 99.1's regular programming. Established in 1931, this year marked the radio station's 30th Sharathon. (10/31)

Salem Communications announced results for the third quarter. Commenting on these results, Edward G. Atsinger III, President and CEO, said, "Salem outperformed the radio industry in the third quarter, achieving revenue growth of 6.8% and station operating income growth of 10.1%. These impressive results were fueled by high growth at our start-up and development stage stations, which is driven by the success of our Christian music format, combined with the consistent and stable performance of our block programming business. For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, net broadcasting revenue increased 6.8% to $42.6 million from $39.8 million in the same quarter a year ago. The company reported operating income of $7.6 million for the quarter, compared with operating income of $7.4 million for the same quarter last year. Operating income for the quarter was reduced by a one-time write-off of $0.7 million due to the cancellation of a contemplated debt offering. The company reported net income of $1.5 million for the quarter, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with net income of $18.1 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, for the same quarter last year. Included in net income for the prior year was a $17.9 million gain from the sale of WYGY-FM. (10/30)

Diana Sosa joins "The Fish" WZFS Chicago as their new 7-10pm personality. Diane has been with the station as as Promotions Coordinator. Also at The Fish Brian Kovacs is now Production Director.  (1029)

Rachel Leigh steps down as music director at KZZQ Des Moines to spend more time at home with her family. PD Dave ST. John will handle MD duties and take calls Thursdays from 9a- 11a. (10/29)

KSBJ Houston will dedicate their new building November 18th. The station is inviting listeners to tour the new facility and welcomes Curb artist Natalie Grant for a brown bag concert highlighting the cerenomy. (10/27)
 

Keith Whipple joins EMF Broadcasting as as Director of Development. Whipple brings over 30 years experience in Christian radio, media communications and donor development to the K-LOVE and Air 1 radio networks. (10/24)

WAY-FM has started its broadcasting to the Clarksville/TN, Hopkinsville/KY and Ft. Campbell area.  According to WAY-FM Regional Manager Matt Austin, 88.3 WAY-FM will be an active part of the community by partnering with local listeners, churches and businesses to provide a positive alternative to the mainstream media. (10/24)

Singer, songwriter and producer and multi-award winner Bill Gaither launches Gaither Music Group. This is the first time Gaither has begun a full-service record label with its own roster of artists. The President of GMG will be Barry Jennings, and the label will offer artists in multiple formats. (10/24)

The GMA has set the deadline of January 30, 2004 for "Radio Station Of The Year" contest entries. Winners will be announced at the Dove Awards April 28th in Nashville. Categories include Major, Large, Medium, and Small markets. To be eligible stations must play Christian music for at least 50 percent of their broadcast day, (6a-mid) and will be judged in four areas including community involvement, ratings, aircheck and industry leadership. Click here to get details and entry form. (10/24)

Movement: Jeff Crites exits his position as OM/PD for XM formats "The Fish" and "The Torch" at Salem Satellite Media effective November 5th... Former KKFS Sacramento PD Steve Sunshine joins WMHK Columbia as morning personality December 1st. Steves previous radio experience includes Indianapolis, Benton Harbor, and Eau Claire, WI... Drew Powell moves from afternoons to morning drive at WPSM Fort Walton Beach... KPRZ San Diego's Dana Sturgeon wins the AIR Award for Best Talk Show Host from the San Diego Radio Broadcasters Association...

KLVV Ponca City, OK announces the sign on of new sister station KXTH 89.1 FM in Seminole/Shawnee, Oklahoma.  The 2300 Watt station covers a large area east of Oklahoma City including Shawnee, Oklahoma, home of Oklahoma Baptist University.  KXTH will rebroadcast KLVV's AC format along with KLVV's five translators. (10/23)

Dave McDaniel is the new PD at WQCK "The Bridge" Baton Rouge replacing Jennifer Paige who recently resigned. Dave comes to WQCK from KSBC Hot Springs where has spent the last three years as PD. Dave will also be hosting The Bridge morning show. (10/21)

The Butterfly Group of record labels including Christian Records, Flying Leap, Gospel1, and Butterfly Kids, will be acquired by Fusion Entertainment. The deal is expected by December. It's also expected that current managing partners of The Butterfly Group will remain in place. (10/21)

Movement: Michael Sadowski is now PD at WLGH Lansing coming from WGBG Jacksonville as APD...  Congratulations to "1030 The Light" KCWJ AM as the station celebrates it's first year on the air. The station has grown in listenership over the past 12 months and will celebrate with a huge appreciation party on Saturday October 25th... K-Life in San Luis Obispo, CA has cranked up a translator covering Santa Barbara on October 16th... Jay King joins the A&R team at Gotee Records. Jay was previously CEO of King Management... (10/16)

20 The Countdown Magazine host Jon Rivers released a letter with the September 27 edition of the show that said, "Attached you will find a document verifying that I, Jon Rivers, am the sole owner of '20 The Countdown Magazine'." The document was dated 9-17-03 and was an order from the US District Court in Memphis awarding ownership and sole right to produce and distribute "20 The Countdown Magazine" to Rivers.  The order also stated that Rick Tarrant and Communion Communications Corporation as being "enjoined and prohibited from producing or distributing any radio show purporting to be related in any manner to '20 The Countdown Magazine' or utilizing that trademark in any manner whatsoever."  (10/14)

Zach Anders has been named Station Manager for the brand new WAY-FM station for the Denver/Ft. Collins Colorado market, scheduled to sign-on in January 2004. Anders has previously programmed LeSEA Broadcasting WHPZ South Bend for the last 9 years. Anders has decided to begin using his real name Zach Cochran, said about joining WAY-FM, "I am excited to be part of the WAY-FM team and to be part of what God is doing in the Denver / Ft. Collins area."  Dusty Rhodes, WAY-FM Chief Operating Officer said, “Zach brings with him a combination of talents that will work very well in this market, and in our ministry organization.  He is another example of the skill and integrity we are finding to jump on the WAY-FM bus!” (10/13)

Jennifer Brinn has become the new National Promotions Coordinator at Sparrow Records effective today. Jenifer was previously in radio at WPOZ Orlando. Her contact number is 615-371-4048 or jbrinn@sparrowrecords.com   (10/13)

Movement: WFZH Milwaukee brings in Margi Fieseler for mornings joining Danny Clayton and D Steward...WAYK/WAYG Kalamazoo-Grands Rapids PD Mike Couchman can now be reached at Grand Rapid offices at 616-942-1500...WAY FM Nashville's Jeff Brown has received an AIR Award for Best Production/Creative Services...J93.3 Atlanta celebrates it's 20th year on the air with "4 nights in October featuring MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Sonicflood, and many more...(10/10)

Changes: Keith Alan is now production director at WTBN (570 & 910) in Tampa. Alan has also been at WMCA New York, WTEM Wash DC, and WCRV Memphis... KKFS The Fish Sacramento will launch a CHR/Alternative show called "The Wave" in January 04... KTSY Boise adds Praise & Worshipmusic to the mix on weekend mornings... (10/9)

R&R Industry Achievement Awards Winners... Commercial station of the Year KXOJ, Non-Com Station of the Year KSBJ, PD of the Year Jon Hull/KSBJ Houston, MD of the Year Rob Dempsey/WLFJ Greenville, SC, Air Personality of the Year Kevin & Taylor  WFSH/Atlanta, Record Company of the year (Platinum)  Sparrow, Record Company of the Year (Gold)  INO, Label Executive of the Year Grant Hubbard. (10/9)

The 35th annual Dove Awards will take place Wednesdayt April 28 at The Gaylord Center in Nashville. The GMA making the announcement today. for more info including how to get btickets log on to  www.DoveAwards.com (10/7)

Desmond Pringle has been named Director of Gospel A&R at Woed Records. Desmond is looking for Urban, Gospel and R&B groups for the Word Label roster. (10/7)

Congratulations to KNOM Nome, AR winning the Marconi Award for "Religious Station Of The Year" at the NAB in Philadelphia. (10/3)

Movement: WLAB Ft Wayne is now known on the air as Star 88.3...Mark Stewart has been named PD at The Fish KKFS Sacramento replacing Steve Sunshine who exits the station. Mark was previously in Toledo and will also co-host the morning show...Jennifer Page has resigned the PD spot at WQCK Baton Rouge effective at the end of October...Len O'Kelly is leaving his morning slot at WZFS Chicago effective Oct. 10 to join WHTE Chicago...WYYB/WRLG is now calling itself "The Fish" on the air. The Salem stations were previously known as "The One"... Quenton Rockwell is now the host of "The Alternative X Factor" heard Sunday nights from 7pm to midnight on KAXF Houston. (10/2)

Salem announced it expects net broadcast revenue of between $42.5 and $42.8 million, and station operating income of between $14.9 to $15.2 million for the 3rd quarter. The numbers are slightly reduced from previous guidance, which was originally provided on 8/4. (10/1)

James Riley is now the Word Label Group Sr. Mgr. of Nat'l Promotions. James is a 10 year radio promotions veteran and has been with Myrrh, Word, Star Song, Essential and most recently Inpop. Get a hold of James at 615- 726-7955 or James.Riley@wbr.com. (10/1)