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| WMBI-AM Flips To Spanish-Language Christian Format |
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| Written by Larz | |||
| Monday, 06 February 2012 12:45 | |||
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Moody Radio has flipped their Chicago AM radio station, WMBI-AM 1110, from an English-speaking Christian talk format, which was often a simulcast of their WMBI-FM 90.1, to an all new Spanish-language Christian talk & music format. The change took effect earlier today.
The new station, using the line "Compartiendo Esperanza. Siempre Contigo." (translated to: "Sharing Hope. With You Always."), seeks to connect to Chicago's fastest growing minority group -- the Hispanic community, making up 26% of the total population in Chicago alone. WMBI-AM is now the only full-time Spanish-language Christian radio station in Chicago. In addition to original Spanish-speaking programming, Radio Moody Chicago will utilize existing Moody Radio ministry partners with Spanish-based teaching, including "Turning Point" with Dr. David Jeremiah, "Grace to You" with Dr. John MacArthur, and "Insight for Living" with Dr. Chuck Swindoll. Programming will include talk shows, biblical teachings and inspirational music. In a statement this morning, Collin Lambert, Vice President of Moody Radio, said: "There are approximately two million Hispanics living in Chicago and with no Spanish-speaking, Bible-based Christian radio station serving them, we believe this station and its programming will fill a significant need for this community. We are excited about this initiative and look forward to hearing from listeners how Moody is ministering to them." Elsa Mazon, Spanish Program Director and Project Manager for Moody Radio, stated: "Through this effort Moody is recapturing its original vision for reaching the Hispanic community and expressing a renewed commitment to serve them. We want to bring hope and encouragement to our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters and there is no better time than right now." A new website has been launched for the station, RadioMoody.org, splitting away from the website it once shared with WMBI-FM. The majority of WMBI-AM's former English-speaking programming can still be heard on FM 90.1. Thirteen of the sixteen program ministries that have long been heard on WMBI-AM, will be on the FM station. The station's owner, Chicago's Moody Bible Institute, has operated a Spanish ministry for over 25 years. The "MBI" in the call letters of WMBI stands for Moody Bible Institute. WMBI-AM is a daytime-only radio station, broadcasting from the Chicago campus of Moody Bible Institute. The near suburban broadcast tower transmits at 4,200 watts. It's signal covers most of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs from sunrise to sunset.  A video message from Collin Lambert: Dim lights 11:00pm 02/06/12: Updated with additional information.
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