Educational Media Foundation

Educational Media Foundation (formerly EMF Broadcasting, abbreviated EMF) is an American nonprofit Christian media ministry based in Rocklin, California, a suburb of Sacramento.
EMF is the parent company of K-LOVE and Air1—the nation's largest contemporary Christian music radio networks. As of 2020, EMF directly owns and operates on more than 1,000 signals across all 50 states. The organization is also among the top 10 U.S.-based audio streaming companies. In 2020, EMF launched AccessMore, a Christian podcast network. It also oversees WTA Media, a leader in faith-based films and publishing.
The programming for Air1 and K-LOVE is distributed by satellite and carried on its own stations, including many low-power FM translators and some stations which EMF operates on behalf of other owners.
The president and CEO of EMF is Bill Reeves, named to the position on July 18, 2019. Reeves replaced interim president and CEO Alan Mason, who himself succeeded longtime head Mike Novak.
The K-LOVE Air1 Foundation operates as a fundraising arm of EMF.
Structure.
Educational Media Foundation (EMF) is governed by a board of directors. The current Chairman of the Board is Mark Voltmann. The current CEO of EMF is Bill Reeves, who replaced Alan Mason on July 16, 2019. Dick Jenkins, the founder of EMF, served as the organization's original President and CEO. Novak was next, heading the group from 2007 to 2018. On June 1, 2018, Novak announced that he would retire from EMF within the next several months after 20 years of service to the organization. He would remain on board until his successor is named. Alan Mason served as President and CEO of EMF on an interim basis.
EMF's stations are licensed as non-commercial educational (NCE) radio stations. Funding for Air1 and K-LOVE comes from listener donations in a manner similar to public radio stations. The majority of donations are made during seasonal pledge drives, usually in the spring and in the fall.
The organization is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Current brands.
Air1 Radio.
Air1 is a Christian worship music format featuring songs that are popular in many contemporary Christian worship services. In 1986, KLRD began broadcasting Christian CHR/rock music format from Yucaipa, California, going by the on-air moniker "K-Lord". In 1994, KXRD signed on as a sister station to KLRD. In 1995, K-Lord changed its name to "Air1" and began broadcasting via satellite from St. Helens, Oregon. In 1999, Air1 joined Educational Media Foundation, and in 2002, it moved its headquarters to Rocklin, California. Air1 makes use of FM broadcast translators to spread its reach across much of the country. As of November 2011, the network lists 90 full-power radio stations and 125 translators collectively serving 40 states. On January 1, 2019, Air1 flipped from its longtime Christian CHR format to Christian worship.
K-LOVE Radio.
K-LOVE is a Christian adult contemporary radio programming service in the United States owned and operated by EMF. As of July 2018, K-LOVE's programming is simulcast on over 520 FM radio stations and translators in 47 states and one US territory. K-LOVE reaches about 12 million listeners each week in cities including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Nashville, San Antonio, and Denver. It is also the sixth-most streamed online station in the world. The K-LOVE studios and offices are located in Rocklin, California, near Sacramento. As of November 2009, the morning show broadcasts from Indianapolis.
Former brands.
"Christian Music Planet" magazine.
Christian Music Planet was a magazine owned and operated by Educational Media Foundation from 2002 until 2007, when it was sold to Salem Communications Corporation.
God's Country Radio.
God's Country Radio was a Christian radio network in the United States which launched in 2008. The network aired on a majority of stations owned by Educational Media Foundation and some independent stations. God's Country Radio Network played a blend of Southern gospel and Christian country music.
In November 2010, God's Country Radio Network ceased operations due to lack of financial support from its listeners sufficient to meet its expenses. It relaunched in January 2011 as an Internet-only broadcaster. After EMF discontinued its affiliation with God's Country Radio Network at that point, most of the affiliate stations flipped to Radio Nueva Vida, a Spanish-language Christian radio network owned and operated by California-based nonprofit organization The Association for Community Education, Inc.
World Wide Worship.
World Wide Worship was a radio format that played contemporary worship music. It began in 1999 as an Internet-only station. In 2002, KWRC in Corpus Christi, Texas became the first terrestrial EMF station to broadcast World Wide Worship. However, the format proved unsuccessful and, within a year, it was no longer broadcast on any terrestrial station or online.
K-LOVE Classics.
K-LOVE Classics was a Christian music radio programming service in the United States operated by EMF and was heard on full-powered FM stations and translators, including WAIW in Chicago. Airing Christian music from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, the format debuted in June 2018 as an Internet-only station but quickly moved to terrestrial radio after a massive response. The format airs music by artists such as Bryan Duncan, Amy Grant, Keith Green, Petra, Michael W. Smith, Point of Grace, and 4 Him.
On November 2, 2020, K-LOVE Classics ceased its broadcast online, and the terrestrial stations that had formerly aired K-LOVE Classics began airing the seasonal brand "K-LOVE Christmas". On January 1, 2021, K-LOVE Classics came back with two separate streams online and the terrestrial stations: K-LOVE 90s and K-LOVE 2000s.