A significant Christian radio merger is in the works as Refuge Media Group donates its stations to the University of Northwestern-St. Paul.
A donation agreement filed with the FCC says Refuge, based in Duluth, reached the deal with Northwestern on Friday, June 28. Refuge operates a regional Christian Hits network that has been built up over the last few decades, while UNWSP operates numerous stations under the Contemporary Christian “Life” and Christian Talk “Faith” brands.
The FCC application to transfer the licenses states that UNWSP will assume Refuge’s existing or outstanding liabilities in the amount of $46,680.70 and will fund operation of the stations until closing.
Refuge’s network includes WJRF/89.5 (Duluth), KRFG/102.9 (Nashwauk-Hibbing), KRGM/89.9 (Marshall-Redwood Falls), and thirteen translators in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota (see below).
The biggest overlap between the two groups is in Duluth, where UNWSP will have three full-power stations after the merger. It will also have a translator joining its existing two full-power stations in Sioux Falls.
It does not appear any announcements have been made about the Refuge stations’ future, and WJRF is still airing its regular programming as of Wednesday evening.
Translators that are part of the deal include:
K220HY Spencer, IA
K210CG Spirit Lake, IA
K208FJ Fairmont, MN
K220BI Grand Marais, MN
K256CW Grand Rapids, MN
K215DU Hutchinson, MN
K206DI Mankato, MN
K270DZ New Ulm, MN
K277CC Pennock, MN
K208EX Brandon, SD
K288EV Brookings, SD
K288GA Sioux Falls, SD
K220IT Watertown, SD
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