A late attempt by a group of terminated associates and non-paid workers linked to the troubled St. Louis community-focused eclectic noncommercial music station known as KDHX-FM has failed. This ends an effort to prevent the auction-driven sale of the property in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to the locally based operator of a pair of Christian-themed listener-supported audio brands.
A hearing held Monday (6/9) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri resulted in the approval by Judge Kathy A Surratt-States of a motion authorizing the sale of KDHX-FM from Double Helix Corporation to Gateway Creative Broadcasting, parent of CCM-fueled KLJY-FM “Joy FM” and Christian Hip-Hop KXBS-FM 95.5 and K270BW “Boost Radio.”
As such, the League of Volunteer Enthusiasts of KDHX has run out of alternatives — on its own terms — for saving the station’s current programming and relaunching it. The pro-KDHX group wanted the bankruptcy court to deny the motion to sell, terminate the exclusivity period, and set a new hearing in 90 days.
However, a debtor’s motion seeking to extend its deadline for filing a plan submitted to the court late Monday gives hope that the KDHX beloved by its supporters will have a future.
With a Subchapter V decision made on Monday and a trustee to be appointed shortly, Double Helix wants until July 31 to produce an organization plan and move ahead with the sale of KDHX-FM. It affirms a $7.75 million price for the non-real estate assets associated with the station, and this important fact: Gateway has agreed to provide KDHX Community Media with an HD-2 multicast signal and an internet-based audio home. This would allow KDHX to maintain its status as a community radio station. “In fact,” the motion states, “the purchase price will allow the debtor to continue operations for at least 4 years.”
On Tuesday afternoon, the League of Volunteer Enthusiasts of KDHX commented on the court’s decision, saying it is “deeply saddened.”
It continued, “We believe that 88.1 KDHX exists to serve the whole community and to be the unique voice of that community. Along with all of St. Louis, we are devastated at the loss of this voice.”
Despite the assurance that a HD2 offering and online home would allow KDHX to continue, regroup, and potentially collect enough donations to purchase an FM translator or perhaps another St. Louis-area FM, the enthusiasts wanted nothing less than the 88.1 MHz facility now going to Gateway.
“In Court, our attorneys raised serious objections to the sale and argued that there was no need to rush the process,” the group said. “They asked the Court for 90 days to allow for a community-based plan for reorganization and to complete our fundraising to repay creditors. These objections were denied. While we await the Court’s written order, we join the whole community in mourning this tragic, unnecessary sale of a precious community asset. At the same time, LOVE will be considering all options and feasible paths forward.”
