Campbell selling radio station

By Steve DeVane

Campbell University is selling its radio station to a non-profit network based in Florida.

The school has agreed to sell WCCE, which broadcasts on 90.1 FM, to the Radio Training Network (RTN), which owns and operates radio stations in the Raleigh area, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Missouri.

John Roberson, Campbell's vice president for marketing and planning, said the Federal Communications Commission has to approve the sale.

James Campbell, the president of RTN, said the license has been transferred but the deal has not yet been closed. Once agreement is complete the radio station will no longer be a Campbell radio station.

Campbell, the RTN president, said his organization plans to broadcast from a tower northeast of Fayetteville. The new station will cover the area previously reached by WCCE and more, he said.

"We hope to continue to increase our coverage in the area," he said.

The station, which will have studios in Raleigh, will have an adult contemporary Christian format that is 95 percent music, Campbell said. It will not broadcast Campbell University sporting events, he said.

Roberson said the Campbell athletics department is looking for other potential radio stations to carry the school sports games. Audio from the games will continue to be streamed over Campbell's web site at www.gocamels.com with the possibility of adding video later, he said.

Campbell said the new station is interested in offering internships and other opportunities to Campbell University students. Roberson said the school will continue to operate a radio learning lab on campus that doesn't broadcast a signal.