Judge Approves $8.75M Sale of KDHX to Christian Broadcaster

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 5:21pm CT

KDHX-FM in St. Louis

A federal bankruptcy judge has approved the $8.75 million sale of KDHX-FM's broadcast license and assets to Gateway Creative Broadcasting, the evangelical Christian nonprofit behind JOY FM 99.1 and BOOST Radio in St. Louis. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kathy Surratt-States ruled Monday night after an eight-hour hearing, calling the sale "in good faith" and saying it allows KDHX to continue broadcasting digitally and serving the St. Louis region.

KDHX, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March with $2 million in debt, halted live programming in January and moved to recorded content. Gateway outbid Christian network K-LOVE, which offered $8.5 million. Gateway also agreed to loan KDHX $250,000 for immediate expenses and will reserve an HD Radio subchannel for KDHX's digital broadcasts.

The sale follows years of turmoil at the eclectic music station, once a hub for local artists and community programming. Critics, including musicians and former DJs, accused station leadership of mismanagement and called for resignations after mass dismissals in 2023. Leadership disputes, internal governance changes, and claims of disenfranchisement of voting members fueled community backlash and legal challenges.

Despite accusations of procedural misconduct, Surratt-States found the KDHX board acted within its authority and bylaws. She noted the station's planned reinvention as a digital-only platform is consistent with its mission.

Opponents of the sale say they may appeal, though they acknowledge the legal fight would be long and costly. They argue the sale undermines years of community support and that station leadership ignored efforts to raise funds and reorganize.

KDHX expects to net about $6 million after paying off debts-enough to fund its digital operations for at least six years, according to Executive Director Kelly Wells.

"This is more money than the humble organization has ever seen," said Tyler Schaeffer, an attorney for KDHX.