“The Family” is expanding to southeastern Wisconsin with the purchase of an AM station and its FM translator in the Milwaukee market.
An asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC on Sept. 13 indicates The Family Radio Network will pay El Sol Broadcasting $850,000 for WJTI/1460 (West Allis) and W273DQ/102.5 (Milwaukee).
The stations currently carry a Smooth Jazz format.
El Sol Broadcasting retains W250BN/97.9 (Milwaukee), which carries a “Radio Caliente” format that originally aired on WJTI. W250BN’s programming now originates on the HD3 signal of Audacy’s WMYX/99.1.
“The Family” carries a Contemporary Christian format with “Family Life Today” and “Focus on the Family” airing at both 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The Appleton-based network currently operates five full-power FM radio stations and six FM translators in northeastern, north-central, and northwestern Wisconsin. Its coverage area currently extends as far southeast as Sheboygan and Fond du Lac.
WJTI transmits with 1kW day and 240 Watts night, using different directional patterns day and night. W273DQ transmits with 99 Watts from downtown Milwaukee and must relay WJTI in perpetuity as a condition of its grant during the AM Revitalization filing window.
“The Family” will compete with several other Christian radio stations already established in Milwaukee. WVCY-FM/107.7 is the flagship the national VCY America network, and the city is also served by the “K-Love” and “Family Radio” networks along with commercial Christian outlet WJOI/1340 and W254CU/98.7.