Judge Delays Sale of WJNZ-AM/Grand Rapids

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

A Kent County, MI, judge has delayed the sale of WJNZ-AM/Grand Rapids to Holy Family Radio, after the station was sold to cover $360,000 in unpaid loans. Holy Family Radio intends to replace programming targeted toward African American audiences with inspirational and educational Catholic programming.

WJNZ talk show host Robert S. says the city will lose a valuable voice. "We have a radio dial that has only one African American radio station," he said. "If you are looking for diverse radio programming, Grand Rapids is not a place for you."

The talk host and a group of investors bid for the station, but didn't top the $315,000 offered by Holy Family Radio. On Friday, Kent County Circuit Court Judge Yates granted opponents of the sale the right to intervene.

In a statement, Dan Grady of Holy Family Radio said, "Holy Family Radio signed a binding agreement in good faith to purchase this radio station. We had the same notice of the auction as all bidders did. We are disappointed in the delay of the sale occasioned by today's court hearing and look forward to a speedy closure of this process."

Robert S says he will file a petition with the FCC to block the transfer of the broadcast license to Holy Family Radio.