197 to another local Station, KMPC, the main station of an independent network of stations. Despite the increased financial cost, this radio ministry _,_proV:;a·t;--be the best type of advertising available - for Biola. In late 1946, Dr. William Orr, Director of Biola Extension Work, sug- gested going on the Mutural Broadcasting Network, which had a total of 183 stations from coast to coast. Obviously, moving to this nation-wide net- work was much more expensive, and in May, 1947, the program was discontinued from the daily broadcast and released on the Pacific Coast on Monday, Wed- nesday, and Friday, on the Mutual Network. Fortunately, this reduction was only temporary. In 1952, when Dr. Orr resigned, Mr. Al Sanders, then Superintendent of men at Biola, was given the responsibility of coordinating and producing the radio program, a wise choice as he had practically grown up in a radio station in Santa Barbara, California, and had worked at Moody Bible Insti- tute in producing their radio program. He has played an important role as the announcer on the "Biola Hour" since that time. In 1954, the maintenance cost of the radio progra.~ had climbed to a yearly figure of $28,000.00. The Board considered some reduction, and Al Sanders made an appeal to listeners to write in during the month of November to determine listener interest. The mail for the month practically doubled. When the income from the audience also increased considerabJy the Board was convinced that the cost of the "Biola Hour" was still a good investment. Perhaps, now in view of this encouragment, it was time to consider more definitely the feasibility of obtaining a license for an FM Radio Station, which had been considered for some time. This would provide an outlet for the ''Biola Hour" locally, allow Biola to provide an outlet for other Christian organizations, and ultimately increase the School's income. The Board, therefore, in May 1946, authorized Mr. Sanders to make applicatior to the Federal Cormnunication Commission for a license to build and operate
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