Christian radio network buys KTPB
$2.4 million price spread over 10 years
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

News herald photo by LESTER MURRAY Richard Anderson of Henderson was one of a handful of people who last night asked the Kilgore College board not to sell its public radio station, KTPB. The station was sold to a Christian radio network from California for $2.4 million

Kilgore College trustees last night voted unanimously to authorize college president Dr. Bill Holda to complete negotiations and execute necessary documents for the sale and transfer of the FCC broadcast license and related equipment of KTPB 88.7 FM, the college's radio station.

The purchase price is listed at $2.4 million, payable over a ten-year period.

"KTPB has been a great resource for the arts community in East Texas," Holda said. "I truly regret losing this wonderful asset. However, under the terms of the transaction, the proceeds of the sale plus the additional annual subsidy for the station will amount to a positive financial impact of $3.7 million for Kilgore College over the next 10 years. As good stewards who have a responsibility to our local taxpayers and students, the KC Board believed that they had to give this offer serious consideration."

Over the last ten years, Holda said, KTPB has lost about $1.6 million.

Holda said the college was approached by Public Radio Capital which is a broker for the sale and purchase of radio stations and broadcasting entities.

"This is not the first time we have been approached to sell the station," said Holda. "This is just the first time we felt the offer was substantial enough to consider."

Holda said the sale is to Educational Media Foundation Broadcasting (EMF), a California-based Christian radio broadcasting company that distributes content across the United States to two major Christian music networks, KLOVE and Air 1. As of October 2005, K-LOVE operated more than 250 transmitters while Air 1 ran approximately 90 with outlets ranging from broadcast translators to full-power stations.

Holda said EMF is also responsible for the publishing and distribution of "Christian Music Planet," a magazine devoted to Christian musical artists and songs.

Once approved by both parties, Holda said, the asset purchase agreement will be filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a 60-day period, during which the public may comment. After that period the FCC must approve the transaction.

The $2.4 million sale, which includes the FCC license to use the 88.7 FM frequency, the station's tower and transmission equipment is expected to be approved sometime this summer.

Over the course of the radio station's 15-year existence, KC has supported KTPB radio as a public service of the college. When it was founded, the station served as an instructional lab for the college's broadcasting program which was discontinued in 1995.

Holda said the college holds great appreciation for those who helped support KTPB's past endeavors. "Many of the dedicated members who have supported this station faithfully during the past 15 years helped us continue to offer public radio to this region," he said. "We are grateful for the support they gave us to help sustain the station."

Father John Whitsell of Kilgore told the board last night that this "would be a great loss for the people of East Texas." Whitsell said he hoped the

college would look for greater support from the community and delay their decision before losing a resource like KTPB.

Holda responded that financial support has "just not been there over the past ten years" and the college sees no reason why that would change.

Richard Anderson, of Henderson, also addressed the board in an attempt to get the college to delay or stop the sale of the radio station.

Randy Brint, board president, said this was a very emotional decision but in the end after long deliberation over several months he felt it was best for the college, staff and taxpayers. "In the end we have a responsibility to the taxing district we were elected to represent," said Brint. Sonny Spradlin, board member,

said this was the hardest vote the board has ever had to do.

Holda said after the meeting that Kilgore College will do everything they can to assist the five employees of the station. "We will look at each person's qualification and see if there is any position at the college where they could be placed and we are also working with the projected new owners about their staff needs," said Holda. "We hope to still provide sports broadcasts and public announcements in some manner which will have to be addressed as the sale progresses."

The college expects to provide public radio to the community until the transaction is complete.