Relevant Radio

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Relevant Radio
Type Radio network
Country United States
Availability United States
Key people
Thomas Vorpahl, Chairman of the Board; Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD, Executive Director
Launch date
December 12, 2000 (2000-12-12)
Official website
www.relevantradio.com

Relevant Radio (corporate name Starboard Media Foundation, Inc.[1]) is the second largest Catholic talk radio network in the United States, with 15 stations and 20 affiliates reaching 16 states. The EWTN Catholic Radio Network has over 275 affiliates reaching 45 states.[2] The network's National Headquarters and network studios are in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with additional studios in Minneapolis, Madison, WI and Chicago, IL.

The network airs a variety of programming aimed at practicing Catholics, mostly in a listener-interactive talk format. "Morning Air", which the network describes as "a classic drive-time format that combines inspiration & entertainment" was the first program developed by Relevant Radio in 2003. The network now airs almost exclusively programming developed internally. It is the only Catholic radio network in the country to be recognized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a national media outlet.

History

The network was founded by a group of dedicated Catholic businessmen, including Bob Atwell and John Cavil (who founded WJOK 1050AM in 2000) and Mark Follett, who had been the owner of Anchor Foods, an Appleton-based distributor of frozen appetizers. Starboard bought the license to a radio station in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, that had been carrying all-sports programming, and turned it into an all-Catholic station, saying the call letters stood for "Jesus Our King". The station received its license from the FCC on December 12, 2000, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe who is the patron saint of Relevant Radio. Saint John Paul II is also a patron saint.

The network has grown to 15 stations, including five in the top 25 radio markets, and 20 affiliated stations that carry some or all of Relevant Radio programming. It also offers live streaming from its website and podcasts of favorite show segments.

The network's current executive director is the Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD. He started on air at Relevant Radio in November 2003 and was appointed executive director by the board of directors in April 2010.

Former CEOs include:

  • Thomas Vorpahl, 2008-2010
  • Patricia Leurck, 2006-2008
  • Richard L. Lyles, 2006-2007
  • Mark Follett, 2004-2006
  • Sherri Brownrigg, 2004
  • Steve Gajdosik, 2003
  • David Vacheresse, 2002

On June 23, 2009, Relevant Radio's media contact Nancy Jensen released an announcement [3] regarding a new programming line-up. This update revealed that On Call w/ Dr. Ray would now be replaced with On Call as hosted by Wendy Wiese.

Affiliation changes

On November 25, 2007, Relevant Radio's affiliate station in Chicago switched from 820 AM WAIT to 950 AM WNTD. WNTD now airs Relevant Radio 13 hours a day. Relevant Radio's lease agreement with WAIT, set to expire at the end of November,[clarification needed] was not renewed.

Station list

Owned and operated stations[4]
State Location Callsign Frequency Area
Illinois Chicago WNTD 950 Chicago
Sandwich WKBM 930 Western of Chicago
Indiana Gary WWCA 1270 Eastern of Chicago
Minnesota Minneapolis WLOL 1330 Twin Cities
New Jersey Newark WNSW 1430 New York
Mount Holly WWJZ 640 Delaware Valley
Rhode Island Pawtucket WSJW 550 Providence
Texas Del Valle KIXL 970 Austin
Wisconsin Birnamwood WYNW 92.9 Wisconsin Dells-Wausau
Eau Claire WDVM 1050 Eau Claire
Holmen WKBH 1570 La Crosse
Kaukauna WJOK 1050 Green Bay
Nekoosa WMMA 93.9 Wisconsin Dells-Baraboo
Port Washington WSJP-FM 100.1 Milwaukee
Poynette WHFA 1240 Madison
Sussex WSJP 1640 Milwaukee
Stations owned by another company[5]
State Location Callsign Frequency Area
Arkansas Rogers KDUA-LP 96.5 Rogers
Illinois Decatur WDCR 88.9 Decatur
Iowa Charles City KQOP-LP 94.7 Charles City
Clinton KXJX-LP 92.5 Clinton
Coralville KOUR-LP 92.7 Iowa City
Davenport KTJT-LP 102.7 Quad Cities
DeWitt KGYS-LP 92.5 Quad Cities
Marshalltown KCRM-LP 92.5 Marshalltown
Kentucky Kentucky WMJR 1380 Lexington–Fayette
Maryland Hancock W242AR 96.3 Hancock
Minnesota Rockville KYES 1180 St. Cloud
Montana Bozeman KOFK-LP 98.3 Bozeman
Helena KNEH-LP 97.3 Helena
North Carolina Wilmington WBPL-LP 92.7 Wilmington
Texas Hearne KEDC 88.5 College Station
Robstown KLUX-FM 89.5-HD2 Corpus Christi
West Virginia Berkeley Springs WDTF-LP 107.9 Berkeley Springs
Wisconsin Marinette WLCJ-LP 92.5 Marinette
Shawano WRGW-LP 94.5 Shawano
Peshtigo W270BC 101.9 Peshtigo

See also

Sources

  • "Catholic network calls Green Bay home", Green Bay News-Chronicle, date uncertain, 2004. (Newspaper now defunct)

References

External links