Leadership from Hope Media Group and WAY Media have announced their intention to merge into one media organization. The formal merger is expected to close by mid-2022, following Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval.
The Christian media organization will be headquartered in Houston and will operate under the name Hope Media Group. WayFM and KSBJ, as part of the merged Hope Media Group, will continue to serve their respective audiences under their existing brand names.
This merger combines the heritage of two like-minded ministry organizations currently engaging audiences totaling more than 4 million. Hope Media Group was founded 40 years ago with one radio station, KSBJ-FM/Houston, and WAY Media was formed 35 years ago with WAYJ-FM/Fort Myers. This is a merger of equals and a cash-free transaction that received a unanimous vote from both boards of directors.
Hope Media Group’s Joe Paulo, who will be President/CEO of the merged entity, commented, “We are incredibly excited to join forces with WAY Media to not only continue our shared mission of connecting people to God, but to create even more opportunities to spread His hope for good. We know that together we can accomplish more.
The board of directors for each ministry has been prayerful about this for months and we believe this will also further ignite a new trend of collaboration and unity amongst Christian ministries.”
WAY Media’s Interim CEO Tim Dukes will serve as Chief Operating Officer of Hope Media Group. He added, “We have a vision to integrate the best of both ministries and be better together for the cause of Christ. More will be shared soon to announce the leadership team for the combined entity that will still be focused on serving our existing audiences with excellence, in addition to growing through further digital expansion and new terrestrial radio markets.”
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