Educational Media Foundation

Last updated
Educational Media Foundation
Type Nonprofit
Industry Mass media
Founded1981
FounderBob Fogal
Headquarters
Franklin, Tennessee, Tennessee
,
United States
Products Radio broadcasting
Revenue175,719,561 United States dollar (2016)  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Website www.emfbroadcasting.com

Educational Media Foundation (formerly EMF Broadcasting, abbreviated EMF) is an American nonprofit Christian media ministry based in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville.

Contents

EMF is the parent company of K-LOVE and Air1—the world's largest contemporary Christian music radio networks. As of 2022, EMF directly owns and operates more than 1,000 signals in all 50 U.S. states, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The organization is also among the top 10 U.S.-based audio streaming companies. In 2020, EMF launched AccessMore, a Christian podcast network, and K-LOVE On Demand, a free streaming platform offering live concerts, original programming, and other exclusive content. It also oversees WTA Media, a leader in faith-based films and publishing.

The programming for Air1 and K-LOVE is distributed by satellite and carried on its own stations, including many low-power FM translators and some stations which EMF operates on behalf of other owners.

The president and CEO of EMF is Todd Woods, named to the position on March 21, 2023. [1] Woods replaced Bill Reeves, who held the position from July 15, 2019, till March 21, 2023. Reeves replaced interim president and CEO Alan Mason, who himself succeeded longtime head Mike Novak. [2]

Structure

Educational Media Foundation (EMF) is governed by a board of directors. The current chairman of the board is Donna Ecton. [3] [4] The current CEO of EMF is Todd Woods.

The vision for a professional Christian music radio ministry with major-market air talent was an idea KRFC DJ Bob Anthony Fogal had in 1978 that came to fruition on October 15, 1982, when the organization's first signal went on air.

In 1986, Dick Jenkins was named president and CEO of EMF. Mike Novak was next, heading the group from 2008 to 2018. [5] [6] On June 1, 2018, Novak announced that he would retire from EMF within the next several months after 20 years of service to the organization. And on July 15, 2019 Bill Reeves became the CEO of EMF.

In its first 40 years, EMF has had only four CEOs - Fogal, Jenkins, Novak and Reeves (plus Alan Mason's interim role for the first half of 2019).

EMF's stations are licensed as non-commercial educational (NCE) radio stations. Funding for Air1 and K-LOVE comes from listener donations in a manner similar to public radio stations. The majority of donations are made during seasonal pledge drives, usually in the spring and in the fall.

The organization is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). [7]

On May 27, 2022, EMF broke ground for its new global headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, south of Nashville. [8]

Current brands

Air1

Air1 is a Christian worship music format featuring songs that are popular in many contemporary Christian worship services. In 1986, KLRD began broadcasting Christian CHR/rock music format from Yucaipa, California, going by the on-air moniker "K-Lord". In 1994, KXRD signed on as a sister station to KLRD. [9] In 1995, K-Lord changed its name to "Air1" and began broadcasting via satellite from St. Helens, Oregon. In 1999, Air1 joined Educational Media Foundation, and in 2002, it moved its headquarters to Rocklin, California. Air1 makes use of FM broadcast translators to spread its reach across much of the country. As of November 2011, the network lists 90 full-power radio stations and 125 translators collectively serving 40 states. On January 1, 2019, Air1 flipped from its longtime Christian CHR format to Christian worship.

AccessMore

In 2020, EMF launched a Christian podcast network.

K-LOVE

K-LOVE is a Christian adult contemporary radio programming service in the United States owned and operated by EMF as their flagship service. As of October 2022 K-LOVE's programming is simulcast on over 600 FM radio stations and translators in 50 states and three US territories. K-LOVE reaches about 12 million listeners each week in cities including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Nashville, San Antonio, and Denver. [10] It is also the sixth-most streamed online station in the world. [11] The K-LOVE studios and offices are located in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville.

K-LOVE Classics

K-LOVE Classics was a Christian music radio programming service in the United States operated by EMF and was heard on full-powered FM stations and translators, including WAIW in Chicago. Airing Christian music from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, the format debuted in June 2018 as an Internet-only station but quickly moved to terrestrial radio after a massive response. The format aired music by artists such as Bryan Duncan, Amy Grant, Keith Green, Petra, Michael W. Smith, Point of Grace, and 4 Him.

On November 2, 2020, K-LOVE Classics ceased its broadcast online, and the terrestrial stations that had formerly aired K-LOVE Classics began airing the seasonal brand K-LOVE Christmas. On January 1, 2021, K-LOVE Classics came back in some fashion with two separate streams online and the terrestrial stations: K-LOVE 90s and K-LOVE 2000s. [12] In honor of its 40th birthday, in 2022, K-LOVE launched a series of decade-specific streams covering music from the '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s, 2010s.

K-LOVE On Demand

In 2020, EMF launched a free streaming platform offering live concerts, original programming, and other exclusive content. [13]

Former brands

Christian Music Planet magazine

Christian Music Planet was a magazine owned and operated by Educational Media Foundation from 2002 until 2007, when it was sold to Salem Communications Corporation. [14]

God's Country Radio

God's Country Radio was a Christian radio network in the United States which launched in 2008. The network aired on a majority of stations owned by Educational Media Foundation and some independent stations. [15] God's Country Radio Network played a blend of Southern gospel and Christian country music.

In November 2010, God's Country Radio Network ceased operations due to lack of financial support from its listeners sufficient to meet its expenses. [16] It relaunched in January 2011 as an Internet-only broadcaster. After EMF discontinued its affiliation with God's Country Radio Network at that point, most of the affiliate stations flipped to Radio Nueva Vida, a Spanish-language Christian radio network owned and operated by California-based nonprofit organization The Association for Community Education, Inc.

World Wide Worship

World Wide Worship was a radio format that played contemporary worship music. It began in 1999 as an Internet-only station. In 2002, KWRC in Corpus Christi, Texas became the first terrestrial EMF station to broadcast World Wide Worship. [17] However, the format proved unsuccessful and, within a year, it was no longer broadcast on any terrestrial station or online.

Related Research Articles

K-Love is a contemporary Christian music radio network owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF), a non-profit Christian ministry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPKV</span> K-Love radio station in Duquesne–Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WPKV is a non-commercial radio station licensed to serve Duquesne, Pennsylvania in the Pittsburgh media market. The station is owned and operated by Educational Media Foundation and is an affiliate of K-LOVE, EMF's contemporary Christian music network.

WKLZ is a non-commercial radio station operating under a licensing agreement by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF), and carries the contemporary Christian music format of its nationally syndicated network K-Love for the Syracuse, New York, area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KARJ (FM)</span> Air 1 radio station in Escondido, California

KARJ is an FM radio station serving the North County of San Diego County, California, United States, airing a Worship music format from the Air1 network, and is owned by the Educational Media Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTLW</span> Radio station

KTLW is an affiliate of the Educational Media Foundation's nationally syndicated Air1 Christian worship music radio network serving parts of the greater Los Angeles area. The station's primary signal broadcasts to the Antelope Valley on 88.9 MHz FM with station facilities based in Lancaster, California. The station also is heard on several translator signals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air1</span> American Christian worship music radio network

Air1 is an American Christian radio network. Owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF), it primarily broadcasts contemporary worship music, and is a sister to the EMF's K-Love network.

WPAY is an AM radio station licensed to Rossford, Ohio, serving the Toledo metropolitan area. It is owned by Relevant Radio of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WARW (FM)</span> Air 1 radio station in Port Chester, New York

WARW is a Christian worship formatted radio station, licensed to Port Chester, New York and is the Air 1 radio affiliate for Westchester County, New York and the Connecticut Panhandle. The station is currently owned by Educational Media Foundation and its transmitter is located in New Rochelle, New York.

KLXB is a non-commercial radio station that is licensed to Bermuda Dunes, California and broadcasts to the Palm Springs radio market in the Coachella Valley. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation and airs that company's contemporary Christian radio format known as "K-Love". KLXB is also heard on a translator station, K247CL (97.3 MHz) in Indio, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WIRO (FM)</span> Radio station in Ironton, Ohio

WIRO is a station covering the Huntington, West Virginia area. The Educational Media Foundation outlet broadcasts at 107.1 MHz with an ERP of 3.1 kW, is licensed to Ironton, Ohio and is currently branded as an Air1 affiliate playing contemporary worship music.

WJKV is a non-profit FM radio station in Jacksonville, Florida. It is owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF) and airs the national "K-Love" Christian contemporary music radio format.

KLVP is a non-profit radio station licensed to Aloha, Oregon, and serving the Portland metropolitan area. The station is owned, and the broadcast license held, by the Educational Media Foundation. It airs the national Contemporary Christian radio format known as "K-Love."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KVLR</span> Radio station in Sunset Valley, Texas

KVLR is a radio station licensed to Sunset Valley, Texas and is owned by Educational Media Foundation. It is the Austin affiliate for EMF's Air 1 radio, airing a Christian Worship format. The station also has two translators at 92.1 FM Austin and 92.9 FM Del Valle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KARW</span> Air 1 radio station in Salinas, California

KARW is a non-commercial radio station in Salinas, California, broadcasting to the Santa Cruz-Monterey-Salinas, California, area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLRX (FM)</span> Radio station in Vinton, Virginia

WLRX and WAWX are FM radio stations owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF). WLRX is licensed to Vinton, Virginia, serving the Roanoke metropolitan area. WAWX is licensed to Lynchburg, Virginia, serving the Lynchburg metropolitan area. WLRX plays a Contemporary Christian radio format from the "K-Love" national network, while WAWX airs a Contemporary Worship format as a network affiliate of "Air1."

KLXP is a non-commercial radio station that is licensed to Randsburg, California and serves Ridgecrest, California City, and the Antelope Valley. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation and broadcasts the Christian adult contemporary format of its nationally syndicated K-Love network. KLXP is simulcast on translator station K236AW in Lancaster, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAWR</span> Air 1 radio station in Remsen–Utica, New York

WAWR is a radio station broadcasting a Christian worship format airing programming from the nationally syndicated Air 1 feed. Licensed to Remsen, New York, United States, the station serves the Utica–Rome area. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLBF</span> Faith Radio station in Lincoln–Bismarck, North Dakota

KLBF is a radio station licensed to serve Lincoln, North Dakota, serving the Bismarck-Mandan area. The station is owned by the University of Northwestern - St Paul. It airs a Christian talk/music format.

WPFF FM 90.5 is an American radio station broadcasting a contemporary Christian format. Licensed to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, United States, the station serves the Green Bay area. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation and features the standard K-Love schedule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K-Love Classics</span> Christian classic hits radio network

K-Love Classics was a Christian classic hits radio network owned by Educational Media Foundation (EMF) and was carried over FM stations, translators, and HD subchannels in the United States. Such stations include WAIW 88.1 in Wheaton, Illinois. The network was one of the formats produced by EMF. Airing Christian music from the 1980s, 1990s, and early in the decade of the 2000s, the K-Love Classics format debuted in June 2018 as an internet-only station but quickly moved to terrestrial radio on FM and HD Radio subchannels after a large response to the new format.

References

  1. ↑ "Educational Media Foundation Announces CEO Transition". www.businesswire.com. 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  2. ↑ Jacobson, Adam (July 18, 2019). "Meet Mike Novak's Successor At EMF". Radio and Television Business Report. Streamline RBR, Inc. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Chairman of the Board". K-Love. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Chairman of the Board". Air1. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  5. ↑ "OMNewswire". GospelMusic.org. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012.
  6. ↑ "CEO Compensation Study" (PDF). Charity Navigator (Revised Final ed.). 2010.
  7. ↑ "Educational Media Foundation". Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
  8. ↑ "EMF Breaks Ground on New Franklin Facility". Radio Ink.
  9. ↑ "Testimonies of Christ's work, Share your Christian testimony - Air1 - Positive Hits". Air1. Archived from the original on September 24, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Fan-based Christian music awards slated". Archived from the original on 2013-02-26.
  11. ↑ Daigle, Paul. "Operation Warm Partners with K-Love and Air1 Radio's Fall Pledge Drive" . Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  12. ↑ "EMF Shuts Down K-Love Classics". RadioInsight. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  13. ↑ "K-LOVE On Demand". K-LOVE On Demand. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  14. ↑ "EMF sells Christian Music Planet brand". February 19, 2007.
  15. ↑ "K-Love owner launches God's Country Christian Country radio network". GospelScoop.com. myIchthus Ministry Group. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
  16. ↑ "God's Country Radio Network Goes Off The Air". All Access. All Access Music Group. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  17. ↑ "HisAir.net NewsChannel Aug '02". HisAir.net. August 2002.
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