Updated at 2:15pm Eastern
The parent of omnipresent Christian noncommercial music networks K-LOVE and Air1 has reached an agreement to acquire the Radio Nueva Vida Spanish-language Christian radio network. While it’s not a purchase, per se, and no exchange of funds is transpiring, it nevertheless is a deal that requires FCC approval.
The agreement, announced on Thursday morning (12/12) by Educational Media Foundation and Radio Nueva Vida parent Association for Community Education, Inc., sees a change to the operating structure of RNV. This change would see EMF become the association’s sole member.
A filing in the LMS by Paige Fronabarger and Wilkinson Barker Knauer’s David Oxenford, the legal counsel on FCC matters for EMF, is forthcoming.
As EMF sees it, the deal allows both Radio Nueva Vida and its own operation to expand their combined overall reach, and better serve the Spanish-language community of Christians across the U.S.
“For more than 42 years, EMF has been a pioneer in using media to share the Gospel,” said Tom Stultz, the interim CEO of EMF. “This alignment with Phil and Mary Guthrie and the RNV Team will enable us to innovate and reach new audiences, ensuring our mission continues to thrive in a whole new way.”
Following FCC approval, and EMF’s absorption of the Association for Community Education, Radio Nueva Vida team members will remain on staff as part of the subsidiary.
The two ministries have already been working together for nearly 15 years. As such, the non-cash merger agreement is not surprising.
Radio Nueva Vida President Phil Guthrie commented, “Since 2010, Educational Media Foundation has partnered with Radio Nueva Vida to serve the rapidly growing
Spanish-speaking population. I am thrilled we are solidifying our Kingdom partnership; there is so much work to do, and I know with God’s help, together we’ll be better.”
Branded as “Your Station for Christian Radio,” Radio Nueva Vida can be heard on a collection of radio stations across California, Alaska, Arizona, Florida (via an FM translator near Jacksonville), Idaho, Illinois (via an FM translator near Chicago), Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York (via HD multicast), Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and in the Baja California cities of Tijuana and Mexicali.
Better service for the Hispanic audience has been a key goal for EMF. Earlier this year, Música de Adoración! debuted as a Spanish-language Worship Music stream powered by radio network Air1.
