Shine 104.9 Named Top Radio Station in Spokane Market

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

For almost 30 years, Shine 104.9 (KEEH-FM) has been providing hope to the communities of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. The Christian contemporary station was recently ranked #1 across all demographics in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene market,* according to Nielsen, a radio and TV ratings service.

“People today are really discouraged in this world, and thus they are looking for the hope and encouragement which Christian radio offers, and we package that with fun, relevant music,” says Darin Patzer, general manager for Shine 104.9.

Nielsen distributes surveys nationwide and reports the results to the media industry. According to Nielsen, KEEH listeners average eight and a half hours of tune-in time weekly. This, combined with the audience size, earned the station a 7.6% share, which tops the market’s roughly 50 stations.

Serving its local community has been a priority for the station. Including broadcasts and messages from local pastors to hosting live music performances and conferences, Shine 104.9 works hard to serve the local community.

“Being a local station brings added relevance to this community, because listeners know we’re right here living with them,” adds Patzer.

Patzer and his team fully understand how important it is to have a radio ministry as part of a local conference. KEEH is able to reach areas of its community that are often difficult for a local church ministry to enter. The station currently has 23 active Discover Bible School students.

“I messaged one of my students today who completed 5 lessons the past few days,” says Rachel Sumagpang, a KEEH staff member. “She asked, ‘I was taught Sunday was the Sabbath. Do I have to change to Saturday to honor God?’ I prayed before I responded to her but please pray that the Holy Spirit guides her to make the decision to worship on Sabbath for herself.”

Sumagpang, Patzer, and the rest of the team know from experience that these kinds of tough questions can help ignite a real relationship and bring these listeners closer to Christ. KEEH is truly able to touch people that consider this ministry their church.

KEEH broadcasts from its studio at Upper Columbia Conference headquarters. The station has a translator covering North Idaho at 94.9, but can also be listened to worldwide through their app. Shine 104.9 also has a second channel featuring LifeTalk radio programming, heard on their HD2 channel in Spokane. The Shine 104.9 – KEEH app is available for iPhone and Android and can be downloaded from www.shine1049.org.

*Copyright Nielsen ratings, Spring 2021, Mon-Sun, 12+