May 30 was the day when the bankruptcy court had the auction for the KDHX license and transmitter site. Our local CCM operator, Gateway Creative Broadcasting (AKA Joy 99 and Boost 95.5) came out the winner at $8.75 million (personal aside UFB).
The Love of KDHX folks made up of the jilted former DJ’s and a few local heavy hitters are still trying to get control of the station. With my two useless journalism degrees in the balance, the unbiased Grand Poopah is rooting for the Love of KDHX folks. And today, Monday, June 9, there’s a hearing scheduled to see if the Lovers can have a chance at saving the 88.1 frequency from more religious programming.
There have been two excellent articles written about the current KDHX situation. One on STL Today. Here’s a link to that article.
The other article is written by the STLPR folks from KWMU (ironically also being “SOLD” but no one will give the details).. Here’s the link.
One interesting factoid I’ve heard. There are 45 radio stations in the STL (I say more, but that’s the reported number) and 15 of those are religious. Do we have 15 country stations? Or 15 Rock stations. Or…you get the point. When is enough religious radio enough??? Only god knows!
Yes, the Grand Poopah is unbiased. That’s why I wish the Lovers of KDHX folks the best of luck today. Nothing against Sandy Brown and the crew at Joy/Boost but a true community station like KDHX is in the best interest of the community. We need more quirky radio!