Relevant Radio
| File:Relevant Radio logo.jpg | |
| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | United States |
Key people | Thomas Vorpahl, Chairman of the Board; Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD, Executive Director |
Launch date | December 12, 2000 |
Official website | www |
Relevant Radio (corporate name Starboard Media Foundation, Inc.)[1] is the largest Catholic talk radio network in the United States, with 15 stations and 20 affiliates reaching 16 states. 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 business men, 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 of Relevant Radio.
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 Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD. He started on air at Relevant Radio in November, 2003 and was appointed Executive Director/CEO by the Board of Directors in April, 2010.
Former CEO's 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 [2] 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, was not renewed.
Station list
See also
Sources
- "Catholic network calls Green Bay home", Green Bay News-Chronicle, date uncertain, 2004. (Newspaper now defunct)
References
- ^ "Company Overview of Starboard Media Foundation, Inc". Bloomberg Businessweek. Businessweek.com. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
- ^ http://www.relevantradio.com/Document.Doc?&id=317
- ^ Relevant Radio Stations - Relevant Radio
- ^ Affiliate Stations - Relevant Radio
