St. Louis Radio: Christian Broadcaster Wins KDHX Auction

Gateway Creative Broadcasting, a nonprofit Christian radio group based in St. Louis, operates two stations in the market: Christian Adult Contemporary “99.1 Joy-FM” (KLJY) and Christian Hip Hop “Boost 95.5” (KXBS). 

Gateway Friday won a bankruptcy court auction for the broadcast license and tower of 88.1 KDHX, a community radio station owned by Double Helix Corporation, with a bid of $8.75 million. 

This outbid a competing offer from K-Love Inc., a national Christian radio network, which had proposed $8.5 million after an initial agreement with Double Helix for $4.35–$4.85 million, depending on the closing timeline.

The auction followed Double Helix’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in March 2025, driven by $2 million in debt and internal conflicts, including the dismissal of volunteer DJs and leadership disputes. 

Gateway’s involvement began in December 2024 with a $5.2 million letter of intent and a $400,000 loan to Double Helix, but K-Love’s subsequent offer prompted the auction. Both bids included provisions to maintain KDHX’s current programming on an HD subchannel, ensuring some continuity of its community-driven format. The sale awaits final approval from U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kathy A. Surratt-States on June 9, 2025.

KDHX 88.1 FM (44 Kw)

Gateway, with an annual budget of approximately $9 million, aims to expand its presence in St. Louis, market No. 24, where K-Love currently has no stations. 

The acquisition has sparked opposition from KDHX supporters, including the League of Volunteer Enthusiasts (LOVE), who argue it violates the station’s nonprofit mission and bylaws. Despite local efforts to preserve KDHX’s independent status, no alternative bids materialized. Gateway’s win marks a significant shift for KDHX, founded in 1987 as a volunteer-run, listener-supported station known for its diverse music programming.