Catholic radio coming to Utah

Catholic radio is coming to Utah later this summer.

Immaculate Heart Radio announced earlier this month that it is purchasing 50,000-watt KCPW AM 1010 from Community Wireless of Park City Inc.

According to Radio and Records, the purchase price is $900,000.

This will be the network's 22nd station. It will air Catholic programming, news, talk and information, 24 hours a day.

Immaculate currently has 12 radio stations in California and nine in New Mexico.

The station is licensed to Tooele, but the towers are located closer to Salt Lake City, and the signal reaches most of Utah.

"We are very excited to serve the church in this way by bringing the best Catholic programming from around the country and around the world to Utah," Doug Sherman, Immaculate Heart Radio president, said in a press release.

"The transaction will close in August, and our broadcasts will begin at that time. Soon after that we will begin local programming, including The Bishop's Hour, which will highlight the great work of the church and laity in the Diocese of Salt Lake, and give Bishop (John C.) Wester an opportunity to use the radio to reach his flock."

"We will pray that this endeavor will be a source of grace for the Diocese and a tool for promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ," Bishop Wester said.

In the meantime, AM-1010 is likely to continue to simulcast sister station KPCW from Park City on the frequency.

Community Wireless paid $2 million when it bought the station some years ago. The money from the sale will help pay some of the debt it owes on its new studios at 60 Swede Alley in Park City.

Immaculate Heart Radio was founded in 1997 with its first station, KIHM in Reno, Nev. Its programming is primarily focused on evangelization and catechesis, but devotional hours, including the Rosary and Mass, and Catholic news from around the world are also key elements in the broadcast day.

More information is available at www.ihradio.org, or by calling 866-77 HEART.