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Religious Broadcaster Hopes to Buy WMFE-TV for $3 Million

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April 4, 2011 | WMFE - It appears Texas-based religious broadcaster Daystar Television is the buyer for Orlando's main public television station, WMFE-TV. In a filing released today by the Federal Communications Commission, WMFE lists "Community Educators of Orlando, Inc." as the purchaser, but that group gives the same address as Daystar. The listed purchase price is $3 million.

WMFE announced on Friday it was selling its PBS-affiliated television station after broadcasting for more than 45 years.  The station says its decision was prompted by a combination of deep declines in corporate and viewer support; uncertainty about state and federal funding; and expected increases in PBS dues and programming costs. 

The station says the proceeds from the sale will go into an endowment that will be used to expand the local news and information offerings on WMFE’s NPR-affiliated radio station, 90.7.

The FCC will take public comment on the proposed sale of WMFE-TV before deciding whether to approve it.  WMFE-TV will continue to broadcast PBS programming until final approval is granted.  The station expects that to happen sometime in the next 90 days.


 

 

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