WHIL sold for $1.1 million

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Spring Hill College sold its public radio station Monday to the University of Alabama for $1.1 million.

Pending FCC approval, WHIL-FM will remain on the air but its operations will shift to Tuscaloosa.

Last Friday, Spring Hill College President Rev. Richard Salmi, S.J. told Fox 10 News anchor Bob Grip the radio station has lost money for a number of years.

Today, in a letter to WHIL listeners, Salmi said, "The station’s role in our community is an important one, but the College must focus its energy and limited resources, particularly in these challenging economic times, to not only sustaining but also strengthening our primary mission and providing an exceptional education for our students successfully engaging them in learning, faith, justice and service. Therefore, ultimate responsibility for the operations of a public radio station cannot be a main focus for us."

A statement released by WHIL said, "It is currently assumed that the basic format of the station will remain intact... NPR News and Classical Music since Alabama Public Radio's schedule substantially mirrors WHIL's during the weekdays. Being part of the Alabama Public Radio means the continued availability of public radio programming for the entire 91.3 WHIL listening area. The stronger financial resources of the University of Alabama Public Radio system in today's environment of uncertainty in federal public radio funding make the impending transfer to the University all the more timely for the 91.3 WHIL listening audience."

Scott Speck, Music Director of the Mobile Symphony told Fox 10 News, "WHIL has been a marvelous partner with the Mobile Symphony over the years, among other things broadcasting all our performances for several seasons. It's been a great collaboration. Of course I am sad to see the station leave Mobile, and I will really miss the regular contact with my friends there. I certainly hope that WHIL will continue to focus on local Gulf Coast organizations and help to strengthen them. Now that it will be statewide radio, maybe this is an opportunity to broadcast our concerts throughout the entire state, spreading the great word about the Mobile Symphony far and wide."