Relevant Radio
 | |
| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Programming | |
| Format | Catholic radio |
| Ownership | |
Key people | Rev. Francis Joseph Hoffman, JCD, CEO and Chairman of the Board; Drew Mariani, Show Host; Patrick Madrid, Show Host. |
| History | |
| Launch date | December 12, 2000 |
| Coverage | |
| Availability | United States |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | www |
Relevant Radio (corporate name Relevant Radio, Inc.) is a radio network in the United States, mainly broadcasting talk radio and religious programming involving the Catholic Church. Relevant Radio broadcasts "talk radio for Catholic life" over a network of 205 stations. Relevant Radio owns and operates 132 stations, and distributes programs to an additional 73 affiliates.
Relevant Radio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois, with additional studios in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The network airs a variety of programming aimed at Catholics and others interested in the Catholic Church.
History
[edit]The network was founded by a group of Catholic businessmen, including Bob Atwell and John Cavil (who purchased Kaukauna, Wisconsin-licensed station WJOK in 2000) and Mark Follett, the owner of Anchor Foods, an Appleton-based distributor of frozen appetizers known for its marketing of jalapeño poppers, which had been sold to Heinz and its proceeds being used to launch the network under the non-profit Starboard Media Foundation.
WJOK's calls, which formerly designated its sports radio format, now instead stood for the phrase Jesus, Our King. The network soft-launched on November 26, 2000, and considers December 12 its official launch date to honor the feast days of both Our Lady of Guadalupe and John Paul II, whom Starboard considers its unofficial patron saints.
"Morning Air", which the network describes as "a classic drive-time format that combines inspiration & entertainment" was the first program developed by Relevant Radio in 2003.
On October 13, 2016, Relevant Radio announced that it would merge with Loomis, California-based Immaculate Heart Radio, which owned and operated 36 stations in the western United States at the time of the merger.[1] The merger was completed on July 31, 2017, with all stations being licensed to Immaculate Heart Media, Inc., while Relevant Radio continued as the on-air branding.[2] The corporate name was changed to Relevant Radio, Inc. in February 2020.[3]
In 2019, Immaculate Heart Media purchased 13 AM stations and seven translators from Salem Media Group.[4][5][6]
In October 2019, Immaculate Heart purchased the 6 radio stations owned by Northern Michigan-based Baraga Broadcasting, as well as assuming the LMA of affiliate station WMQU, which is currently owned by Blarney Stone Broadcasting.[7] On May 17, 2021, the five stations carrying Relevant Radio's Spanish-language service began carrying the English-language network.
Programming and Talent
[edit]Relevant Radio provides programming content that covers a variety of topics including daily life, news, marriage, spirituality, and more. One of Relevant Radio’s most popular programs is the Family Rosary Across America, a nightly interactive experience to pray the rosary together where any listener can call in with prayers. [8]
Each show allows the opportunity for listeners to call in and be on air with their comments, questions, or prayer requests. Listeners can access content through their local radio station channel when it airs or anytime through the company's app, the Relevant Radio app. [9]
The majority of Relevant Radio consists of talk radio, but music is also offered on the app. The available music includes “Christian Music” and “Sacred Music.” This consists of modern Christianity-themed music and traditional liturgical music, such as Gregorian Chants. [10]
Current show programming includes:
- Family Rosary Across America
- The Drew Mariani Show
- The Patrick Madrid Show
- Marriage Unhindered with Doug Hinderer
- Trending with Timmerie
- The Inner Life with Deacon Patrick Conley
- The Mark Swartzberg Show
- The Tim Glemkowski Show
- Daybreak
- Daily Mass
- Life is Worth Living with Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Additional app content includes:
- Morning Air
- Lent with the Saints
- Glen’s Story Corner
- The Faith Explained with Cale Clarke
- Father Simon Says
- Advent Inspirations
- A Christmas Carol
- 10 Minutes with Jesus Podcast
- St. Josemaria Podcast
- Lenten Lessons on the Mass
- Fr. Rocky Teaching Minutes
- Relevant in Rome
- 2 Minute Prayer Reflections
- On the Night Train
- In Conversation with God
- From Values to Action [11]
Station list
[edit]English language stations
[edit]Former Spanish language stations
[edit]| Owned and operated stations[12] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Location | Call sign | Frequency | Area |
| Florida | Atlantic Beach | WZNZ | 1600 | Jacksonville |
| St. Petersburg | WWMI | 1380 | Tampa Bay | |
| Winter Park | WHOO | 1080 | Greater Orlando | |
| Illinois | Granite City | KXFN | 1380 | St. Louis |
| Indiana | Gary | WWCA | 1270 | Northwest Indiana |
| Texas | Harlingen | KJJF | 88.9 | Rio Grande Valley |
| McAllen | KHID | 88.1 | Rio Grande Valley | |
Relevant Radio App
[edit]The Relevant Radio app offers on-demand access to the live content heard on air, video live streaming, podcasts of past shows, articles on the latest news in the Catholic Church and around the world, music access, audio prayers and a collection of text prayers. [14]
Catholic faith resources are also available in the app such as a confession guide (a preparation guide for Catholics participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation), daily readings, novenas and more. Live interactive prayer can be accessed through the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Daily Rosary. The app is marketed as a digital guide to “explore truth, hope, and meaning.” [14]
The logo of the Relevant Radio app shows a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe because of the station’s official launch date on December 12th being the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. [15]
Headquarters
[edit]In 2020, Relevant Radio established its primary headquarters and recording studios in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Originally, the headquarters were established in Green Bay, Wisconsin since 2000. The Green Bay residence remains as a secondary location and supplementary studio today. [16]
The Lincolnshire headquarters was previously the United Auto Workers regional headquarters, but is now remodeled to include modern recording studios, offices, and meeting spaces. Additionally, the headquarters houses a 70-seat chapel, The Chapel of the Proclamation, where the daily Masses are televised and eucharistic adoration occurs throughout the workday. [17]
See also
[edit]Sources
[edit]- "Catholic network calls Green Bay home", Green Bay News-Chronicle, date uncertain, 2004. (Newspaper now defunct)
References
[edit]- ↑ "Catholic Radio Organizations Plan to Unite. - Immaculate Heart Radio". Immaculate Heart Radio. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Relevant Radio - Talk Radio for the Catholic Life". Relevant Radio. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ↑ "History". Relevant Radio. September 25, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ↑ Venta, Lance. "Immaculate Heart Media Acquires Four In Miami & Tampa From Salem", Radio Insight. July 29, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
- ↑ Jacobson, Adam. "Update: Salem Reveals Stations In Latest Sale As Stock Slides", Radio & Television Business Report. August 16, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
- ↑ Venta, Lance. "More On Immaculate Heart Media’s Purchase Of Nine Stations From Salem", Radio Insight. August 16, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
- ↑ "Station Sales Week of 10/4: Immaculate Heart Media Acquires Michigan Catholic Group". October 4, 2019.
- ↑ "Our Shows". Relevant Radio. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Schedule". Relevant Radio. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
- ↑ Hanretty, John (April 9, 2026). "Now Streaming: Christian Music in the Relevant Radio App!". Relevant Radio. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Relevant Radio Catholic Rosary App". App Store. October 5, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
- 1 2 "Owned and Operated Stations - Relevant Radio". relevantradio.com. July 25, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ↑ "Affiliate Stations - Relevant Radio". relevantradio.com. July 25, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- 1 2 "Relevant Radio Catholic Rosary App". App Store. October 5, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ Hanretty, John (August 18, 2021). "The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe". Relevant Radio. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Relevant Radio Global Media Center, Lincolnshire, Illinois – JNKA Architects". jnka-architects.com. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Relevant Radio Chapel of the Proclamation in Lincolnshire, IL · Inspired Artisans". inspiredart.com. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
External links
[edit]
- American radio networks
- Christian mass media companies
- Christian radio stations in the United States
- Catholic radio stations
- Companies based in Green Bay, Wisconsin
- 2000 establishments in Wisconsin
- Radio broadcasting companies of the United States
- Relevant Radio stations
- Anti-abortion organizations in the United States
