Buyer to turn 100.5 into Christian radio station
"The Drive" is switching drivers.
WALC-FM, the local alternative rock radio station known as The Drive at 100.5 on the dial, has been sold for $2.3 million by a trust controlled by Clear Channel Communications Inc. The buyer was Radio Training Network.
WALC-FM will take on a contemporary Christian music format once the Federal Communications Commission approves the sale in about 45 to 60 days, said Allen Henderson, general manager of Greenville-based His Radio Network, a subsidiary of Radio Training Network.
The Drive won't disappear completely.
Once the FCC signs off on the deal, Clear Channel will shift the programming over to WRFQ-104.5 FM side channel HD2, said Alene Grevey, president and market manager for the Mount Pleasant-based station and three others. "We are sad to see The Drive go away (from its regular signal), but until it does, we plan to have fun and play some awesome music on the station," she said.
The sale will give Lakeland, Fla.-based Radio Training Network 15 stations that broadcast contemporary Christian music, mainly in the Southeast. "They bought it for the purpose of converting it to one of their Christian formats," said Rodney Rainey, a managing partner with RadioMetrix Solutions of Charlotte, which brokered the station sale.
The FCC approved the $19.5 billion takeover earlier this year of San Antonio-based Clear Channel by private equity firms Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital Partners. As part of the deal, Clear Channel had to transfer licenses of WALC and 47 other stations it owned to a trust so that its new owners would comply with federal ownership limits.
Radio Training Network operates as His Radio Network in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama with contemporary Christian music. It currently broadcasts in the Charleston market via low-frequency translators on 91.1 FM and 91.9 FM.
The new owner has applied to the FCC to upgrade the signal of WALC-FM to cover the Charleston market more effectively.
"A lot of people like listening to the station, but you drive five or 10 miles and you lose the signal," Henderson said. "It's not easy to get a radio station in a market like Charleston. We are real excited about expanding what we have been doing there."
Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
chucktonian (anonymous) says...
bummer! at least we still have CHUCK FM!
December 10, 2008 at 4:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
watchdog (anonymous) says...
We do not need anymore of that bible beating music in this area.
December 10, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kma71 (anonymous) says...
Great! 1st 96 Wave dies, and now this! Radio in Charleston sux!!
December 10, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MsPiggy (anonymous) says...
haha! Yall are funny. Who cares? If you don't like "bible thumping" music then turn the channel. I don't like listening to music about how much booty a guy can get in a club while smoking his joint and sippin' Hennessey, therefore I don't listen to 102 Jamz.
And by the way, there is some hardcore freakin' awesome you-wouldn't-even-know-it-was-Christian music. Ever hear of Underoath? Flyleaf? Switchfoot? Relient K? Haste the Day? Norma Jean? P.O.D? The Chariot?
Those are just to name a FEW. I'm telling you, if you like hard rock there are HUNDREDS of bands out there that are Christian who provide you with that music. It's not all hymns and organ music anymore.
December 10, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OverHere (anonymous) says...
The Bridge 105.5 is the last man standing for modern rock in Charleston.
Radio is dying fast. Pretty soon I'm only going to need two programmed buttons in the car. Public radio has already taken button 6 when WAVE died. I can't imagine what replaces the button for 100.5
December 10, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I listen to all kinds of music. This switch doesnt bother me at all. I have an open mind. If I like it, I listen to it, if I don't I change the channel. I like everything from T.I. and Akon to opera.
December 10, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jblakeslee (anonymous) says...
Satellite Radio is worth every Penny......No promo's or commericals on the music channels, plenty of choices, and no station fade when traveling.....have had it for about 3 years....only way to go!
December 10, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
NPR for news, and iPod for everything else.
But the death of FM as we know it, is coming soon.
December 10, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mamatrip (anonymous) says...
I hate it that y'all are unhappy about this, but since I moved here from Greenville, the one thing I've really missed is HIS Radio and their really GOOD Contemporary Christian music. HOORAY!!!!
December 10, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proudmomma (anonymous) says...
I love HIS Radio, and I love the Drive as well. I have never had a problem with the signal on 91.9 or 91.1, but am happy that they will gain a wider audience. As far as the Drive, I will be sad to see it go.
December 10, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
Get Sirius radio. I miss having 99.7 Smooth Jazz. The new 99.7 is still good, but nothing beats Watercolors 71, Jazz Cafe 72, or Chill Out 35. All music, no commercials, and perfect reception.
December 10, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
Cedarpost's post reminded of a time when you could hear albums on FM.
John Barleycorn Must Die, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Close to the Edge, Eat a Peach, etc.
December 10, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaman (anonymous) says...
I am happy to see another radio station that brings the message of Christian values.We need more like it.History shows that nations fall when they turn away from God.And statistics show,as Church attendance decreases prison attendance increases.That is what"sux"
December 10, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pillsbury (anonymous) says...
What? That really sucks. First 96 Wave and now this. What are they going to take away next? And please with this HD Radio stuff. No one listens to that anyway. They did it with 99X in Atlanta and it's a failure. Oh well, at least there is still The Bridge.
December 10, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newto843 (anonymous) says...
Lame, radio here really does suck already. We are not all Christians but I guess in the Southeast it is what it is.
December 10, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Teach7775 (anonymous) says...
So, are we to understand that if we listen to Christian radio we are better people? More likely to find savlation????
Conversely, I listen to all the hard rock you can imagine.. What does that mean for me???
The narrow mindedness kills me.....
I am saying this not stating if I am a Christian or not, but Christianty seems to be getting more and more divisive day by day....
I am glad I have Sirius....
December 10, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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