Chicago-based Christian broadcaster Moody Radio has announced plans to sell its original station and two other AM stations, citing the limitations of AM.
The stations to be sold include WMBI/1110 (Chicago), WDLM/960 (East Moline-Quad Cities), and WGNR/1470 (Anderson, IN). The three stations carry the Spanish Christian “Radio Moody” network, which will still be available online and on other stations.
A statement from Moody Senior Vice President of Media Greg Thornton says the decision recognizes “the limitations of AM broadcasting today, including the limitation on many AM stations to only broadcast in the daytime, as well as the dramatic rise in digital/online/mobile listening.”
WMBI is a daytime-only radio station, using 4.2kW. WDLM and WGNR both use 1kW during the day and drop to 102 Watts and 36 Watts, respectively, at night.
Though there might not be much demand for small AM radio stations in 2019, all three stations have construction permits for FM translators that could potentially be operated commercially.
The statement says proceeds from the sale of the stations will be used to fund acquisition of FM stations and online operations. No buyer was announced.
Moody’s English-language network, “Moody Radio,” is available on FM in the three cities and in numerous other locations nationwide.
The Moody Bible Institute signed on WMBI in 1926. Moody has owned WDLM since it signed on in 1960 and bought WGNR in 1986.
Monday’s announcement did not mention the future of Moody’s two AM stations in the Nashville area and one in Charleston, S.C.