A Christian broadcaster that covers most of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is buying a full-power FM station serving Manistique and Escanaba.
According to an asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC on Aug. 27, Gospel Opportunities is buying WRPP/92.7 (Manistique) from Aurora Media LLC for $160,000.
The station currently carries a Classic Rock format. Aurora bought WRPP two years ago; the company retains ownership of two other full-power stations and three FM translators in Escanaba.
WRPP transmits with 51kW/243m (class C1) with a main coverage area including Manistique, Escanaba, and Munising.
The Gospel Opportunities Radio Network, based at WHWL/95.7 (Marquette), is currently heard on five full-power FM stations and ten FM translators across the UP, including current translators in Escanaba and Manistique.
WRPP has also applied to convert to non-commercial status.
WRPP first signed on as WPIQ/99.9 (Manistique) in 2004, when it was a class A station. It moved to 92.7 in 2007, upgraded to class C2 in 2010, and further upgraded to class C1 in 2014.
WPIQ originally carried a News/Talk format. It changed to WRPP and began simulcasting Classic Rock with WRUP/98.3 (Munising) in 2013; that simulcast ended when a sale split the stations’ ownership in 2019.