Word is out that a buyer may be stepping forward to make an offer for non-commercial WMFE Orlando, after a deal to sell it to religious broadcaster network Daystar fell through. Current.org blog identifies Independent Public Media as the entity.
The seller, Community Communications Inc., had balked at fees to maintain its affiliation with PBS and has been trying to peddle the station and concentrate on operating co-owned NPR outlet WMFE-FM.
The move was controversial, since it would remove a local outlet in favor of Daystar’s network fare, and the FCC went so far as to open a docket on the matter before Daystar withdrew from the deal.
According to Current, IPM executive and noncommercial TV veteran Ken Devine says he has strong ties to the local community and would keep the station’s focus there.
As yet there is no word as to how much money is being offered for the station.
