Lutheran synod may sell St. Louis’s KFUO

It looks as if KFUO-FM, the only classical music station in the St. Louis market, is in danger of being sold. The city’s Post-Dispatch reported recently that the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, which owns KFUO, may be asking for upwards of $20 million for the commercial station, which has been broadcasting for 61 years.

People connected to the station are upset that the Synod’s board of directors is seeking buyers in virtual secrecy. But one Synod official was blunt in his comments to the newspaper.

Thomas Kuchta, the Synod’s vice president for finance and treasurer, was more forthcoming. “I don’t care about 85 years (of broadcasting),” he said. “I care about right now and carrying on our mission and ministry.” The Synod’s website reports that its revenues are “lagging behind by almost $4.9 million” this fiscal year.

“Essentially, the FM station is a break-even operation,” said Kuchta, who noted that advertising income has decreased. “If the FM station is operating at break-even, could we, as a church body, generate more income, by having the value of that radio station in investable assets that would yield more than break-even? The answer is yes.”

Also quoted is the president of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Fred Bronstein, who says, “It would be a real hit to the city if it went away. We have lots of rock stations. We need classical music stations.” No doubt he speaks for many of the city’s classical music lovers.

The article suggests that the Synod may have difficulty selling KFUO at its asking price. The weak economy has made radio companies more tentative, and potential buyers may be hard to come by.

You can read the full article here. Reporter Sarah Bryan Miller also blogged about the matter here and here.