WJBR, one of Delaware’s most popular music stations, has been sold to a nonprofit Christian ministry radio network.
The deal, announced Tuesday, will mark the end of the station’s adult contemporary programming, capping a six-decade run that spanned multiple owners. The purchaser, VCY America, is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based nonprofit that hosts Biblical teachings and call-in programs on Christian issues and plays Christian music.
In an interview Wednesday, VCY America Executive Director Jim Schneider said his organization is thrilled to be entering the Wilmington and Philadelphia markets as it continues to fulfill what he described as its mission: to evangelize and affect lives. He has previously called VCY America, “God’s continuing miracle.”
“We believe the problems of our time are spiritual problems,” Schneider said.
VCY America has 35 owned and operated stations in the Midwest and Southwest and more than 80 affiliate stations, according to its website. Schneider said the programming is “by and large” the same across all stations. VCY America won’t produce content in Delaware — its programming will be transmitted from its headquarters.
“The redundancy of the format we’ve developed several years ago is now impacting several communities across many different states,” Schneider said. “It’s a universal message.”
The deal is subject to approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
Schneider said he expects approval to take between four and six weeks. VCY America will need only a few days to change over programming once approved, he said.
What was the purchase price?
They will pay Beasley Media Group, a Florida-based media company that has owned WJBR since 2007, $5 million. It’s a fraction of the approximately $42 million Beasley spent to acquire the station from NextMedia Group.
“We are very pleased with the transaction as it is both accretive and deleveraging for the company in as much as we are able to retain the cash flow from the station within the company and will have an opportunity to reduce debt from the proceeds of the transaction,” Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley said in a statement.
DELAWARE PARK: $10 million renovation boosts Delaware Park casino. Here’s what’s new.
Earlier this month, Beasley reported a second-quarter loss of $4.5 million, a reflection of challenges faced in a crowded and changing media landscape. In previous earnings reports, Beasley has emphasized its digital content as a source of growth.
WJBR, also known as Mix 99.5, was Beasley’s only station based in Delaware. The company will retain six radio stations in the Philadelphia market, including WMMR, WMGK and The Fanatic.
In the spring, WJBR was the second most listened to station based in Delaware behind only 93.7 WSTW, according to Nielsen ratings. In the state overall, it trailed only WSTW and WDAS, Philly’s 105.3.
WJBR’s current hosts include Mike Rossi, who came to the station in 2021 after being let go by WSTW, Eric Johnson and Deanna Marie and Justin Franiak of “Deanna & Justin In The Morning.”
Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon.
