On September 25, 2007, American Public Media Group (APMG), the parent company of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), announced the purchase of WMCU 89.7 FM, a 24 hour, 100K watt listener-supported radio station that broadcasts to the Miami-Dade and Broward county areas in Florida with a translator station in downtown West Palm Beach at 101.9 FM. The reported purchase price is $20 million.

WMCU, also known as "Spirit FM", is a 25-year-old listener supported station owned and operated by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, as per the WMCU web site. Trinity Divinity School is part of the Trinity International University family of schools. MPR claims that the station is owned by the Trinity International Foundation, whose work supports TIU. A Trinity spokesperson claimed that they regularly received offers to buy the station, but "declined to comment on whether APMG was the highest bidder among the most recent batch of interested buyers."

WMCU was a Christian radio station airing 60% adult contemporary Christian music and 40% information, preaching and talk. The 2004-2005 annual report of Trinity International University (TIU) shows that the institution took in $1,141,594 in donations designated to WMCU and dispersed the same amount  to the station. The 2003-2004 annual report said:

"Trinity’s radio station in South Florida (WMCU Spirit FM) enjoys continued success as one of the top ten Christian radio stations in the country. It transitioned this year to a new location and the leadership of a new station manager and exceeded its fundraising goal by more than 50 percent."

As in the case of WCAL and WMCU, it appears that APMG/MPR controlled the timing of the initial press release announcement. It also is interesting to note that the initial news articles did not quote anyone from WMCU or from TIU. It is also interesting to note that TIU recently lost its president and that there are a number of members of the TIU Board of Regents with ties to the Midwest and Twin Cities area.

APMG announced plans to turn the station into a classical music because the Miami area has been without a classical station for at least seven years, according to MPR. In one article, Kling claims that the cost for the station will "be funded through bond financing, and it will be paid off with donations from listeners and contributors in Florida". In another, he says that APMG expects to recover the cost through contributions and support from corporations and listeners.

SaveWCAL notes: We wonder what bond financing APMG intends to use for this purchase...

RELATED ARTICLES:

• MPR parent company buys Miami radio station (MPR)
• MPR's parent buys Florida Christian music station (Twin Cities Business Journal)
• Classical radio on way (Miami Herald)
• New classical radio station set for South Florida (Palm Beach Post)

Reader comments posted on the Miami Herald web site in response to the article included the following quotes which will resonate with WCAL and WGTS listeners:

"WMCU employees found out at the last moment about their loss of jobs. TIU decided to inform them just weeks ago about the truth of a sale. That's truly sad! WMCU was listener supported and we're finding out through the Miami Herald? Bad move TIU."

"We will miss Spirit FM. It has brought me through many tough times. My 11 year old twins were in tears this morning, its all they have ever listened to. It was a shock to read the headline this a/m, I wish the group that bought it had bought some other station to run into the ground."

"What a shock! The way this was done -- a several day notice to the many thousands of WMCU Spirit-FM listeners -- was appalling. Although like many others in S. FL, I have missed having a classical music station, I would never have agreed to giving up the strongest Christian radio voice in the area to get clasical music. A lighthouse to this diverse community has been shut down. Everyone I speak with who has listened to WMCU is in shock and saddened. Perhaps if enough people contact the FCC (and TIU) the sale might be cancelled. If not, maybe a substitute will rise up to fill the void. It is also a shame to see the financial investment poured into WMCU by the S FL community now taken up north by TIU. Thank you to the wonderful staff (and supporters) of WMCU for providing many years of wonderful ministry to our area."

"It makes me mad and sad that the TIU Board of Directors sold out an audience of very loyal supporters who depended on the quality music, encouragement and good teaching it received through the faithful ministry of WMCU. No amount of new pastors, teachers or whoever else they think they will be producing will fill this void we will experience. "

"I am truly saddened by the fact that Trinity placed a price tag on a station that reached so many as a light and encouragement. As for myself and my family and I hope the christian community of South Fla. we will not support TIU any longer, since this act has surely displayed where the board of Directors hearts are truly at. As for the staff of WMCU you will be truly missed. You were like a family to my family. God Bless You"