Independent Christian Radio Station in McCook, NE, to Go Silent

Independent Christian radio station KNGN/1360 (McCook) has announced plans to go off the air due to financial problems.

A recent post by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, citing general manager Ree Smock, said that KNGN will shut down at the end of the month.

The station’s website is now offline, but a recent post archived by Google says that its rainy day fund had fallen to a zero balance.

“Due to the economic hardships of the past couple of years, we can no longer meet our financial obligations. Our rainy day fund is down to 0 balance. We do not have the means to continue to do the Lord’s work without your help. Our doors will close forever on June 30, 2022 unless June contributions say otherwise. We thank you for all of your support and prayers.”

KNGN is relayed on K252FV/98.3, which was granted during the AM revitalization effort. The AM station is 1kW non-directional daytime only while the FM translator uses 250 Watts.

A virtual tour of the KNGN facility that the station posted on YouTube last year describes its format as “conservative Lutheran radio programming intermixed with a variety of Christian hymns and other music.”

KNGN had carried its current format since 1990 and the FM signal was added in 2018. The AM license actually dates back to 1961, when Regional Broadcasting signed it on as KICX.

Other Christian radio services in McCook include The Praise Network’s “Tri-State Praise” via translator K237DV/95.3 and Spirit Catholic Radio on KQPK-LP/96.9. The Praise Network also has a construction permit for a new 500-Watt station on 88.1 in McCook.

This article has been updated to reflect that KNGN’s license dates to 1961, not 1990.