History of Moody Radio

BY: ERIKKA-MAE MAGPAYO

WMBI (Moody Radio Chicago), the flagship station of Moody Radio, got its start seemingly by accident. A violent storm in October 1925 prevented the talent for WGES' scheduled broadcast from performing on the radio. This opened the door for two cornet-playing Moody Bible Institute (MBI) students, who happened to be on-site and could fill the time slot. Few would have thought this "chance encounter" would result in a weekly show and less than a year later help to launch WMBI, the oldest, most renowned Christian radio station in the country.

1928

WMBI was launched-oldest non-commercial Christian radio station in the country.

WMBI was just the beginning of what would come to be known as the Moody Broadcasting Network (MBN).

WMBI distributed many programs by mailing them out on 16-inch- 30 minutes programming.

1930

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9

5

8

MBI purchased WCRF in Cleveland, Ohio, WDLM in Moline, Il.

These purchases were the catalyst for a network that would grow to include 35 stations in the continental U.S.

1982•MBN became the first full-service Christian satellite service providing 24-hour programming to its owned and operated stations.

•The network also began developing affiliate relationships with radio stations across America.

1996WMBI won the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Marconi Award for Religious Station of the Year.

1998• WMBI won the Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters

Association Best Newscast Award.• MBN (Moody Radio) won the National Religious

Broadcasters Association Radio Program Producer of the Year: Proclaim!

• MBN won the National Religious Broadcasters Association Talk Show of the Year: Midday Connection.

• MBN won the National Religious Broadcasters Association Board of Directors Award: Robert (Bob) Neff.

1999• WMBI won the Illinois

Associated Press Broadcasters Association Best Newscast Award.

2000• WMBI won the NAB

Marconi Award for Religious Station of the Year again

• WMBI placed 2nd in the Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association Best Newscast Award

2002-2003• WMBI won:

-National Religious Broadcaster (NRB) Award-Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters

Association Best Newscast Award*

* Both years

2005• (MBN) National Religious

Broadcasters Association Best Radio Talk Show: Open Line.

2006• (MBN) 2006 National Religious Broadcasters Association Hall of

Fame Award: MBI Radio Pastor C. Donald Cole.• 2006 marks the 80th Anniversary of WMBI Chicago- the oldest

non-commercial religious station in the US.• Moody Broadcasting debuts new format for Prime Time America.• Moody Broadcasting embraces the changing landscape of radio

with Operation Next.• WMBI made history with prison broadcast from within the walls

of the Louisiana State Penitentiary: a maximum-security prison.• WMBI names Bruce Everhart station manager

•Moody Radio partners with Compassion International for Two Days of compassion.

•Program “Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman was launched.

•Milenka Peña joins WMBI AM 1110

•Moody Broadcasting Network celebrates 25 years•Moody Radio raises more than $9 Million for SHARE

2008• Moody Radio was awarded the National

Religious Broadcaster’s Media Award Radio Program: Midday Connection.

2009• Moody Radio launches its

first version of the Moody Radio iPhone application.

• WMBI won the National Religious Broadcasters Media Award for Radio Air Personality Talk, Chris Fabry of Chris Fabry Live!

2010• Moody Radio

announces Collins Lambert Vice President.

• In the Market with Janet Parshall defines host’s purpose and passion at Moody Radio.

2011• Moody Radio Chicago names new

station manager Roy Patterson.• Broadcasts Shed Light on Plight of

Hurting Children.• In the Market with Janet Parshall grows

popularity at a record-setting pace.

• “In the future, Moody Radio plans to move in the direction of HD Radio for their owned and operated stations. Moody Radio has developed additional channels and Internet audio channels including a Moody Conference Channel, Majesty Radio and a Praise & Worship Channel for the purpose of HD Radio” (Moody Radio).

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