Northeast Indiana Public Radio has announced the sale of Classical 94.1 WBNI-FM Roanoke/Fort Wayne IN to Taylor University Broadcasting for $350,000.
Upon closing of the sale the station will flip to Gospel running the “Rhythm & Praise” programming currently heard on the buyer’s 90.3 WBCL-HD2 Fort Wayne. Taylor University Broadcasting runs a regional Christian AC network based at 90.3 WBCL currently heard on nine additional signals in eastern Indiana, western Ohio and southern Michigan.
The current Classical programming will continue to be made available online and via 89.1 WBOI-HD2 Fort Wayne.
Northeast Indiana Public Radio (NIPR) and Taylor University Broadcasting Incorporated (TUBI) are jointly announcing the sale of 94.1 FM from NIPR to TUBI.
Pending FCC approval, the transfer of ownership will take place later this summer. Currently, 94.1 FM broadcasts classical music using the WBNI call letters. Classical WBNI will continue to be heard throughout the community on WBNI.org, on the WBNI mobile app, on HD radio, and on smart speakers and mobile devices.
“Our Board of Trustees unanimously approved this sale because it allows us to continue to serve the community with 24/7 classical music while obtaining the funds to make essential digital equipment upgrades,” said Peter Dominowski, President and General Manager of Northeast Indiana Public Radio. “It is also important that 94.1 be maintained as a radio service provided by another organization with deep roots in the community.”
TUBI Executive Director, Ross McCampbell, shares, “It is reassuring to see two organizations that have a heart for serving the community at their core work together to create mutual situations where both can do exactly that with more efficiency and impact.”
TUBI, which also owns WBCL, is acquiring 94.1 for its sister station, Rhythm and Praise. This community-minded transaction will allow a first for the Fort Wayne radio market, an Urban Gospel station that covers the entire city and county 24/7 on an easily accessible FM frequency.