Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Nevada-based Contemporary Communications LLC has filed with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) an application seeking approval for the purchase of local Christian-format radio station KNWJ-FM from Showers of Blessing.

Online news provider for the radio and music industry — AllAccess.com — first reported last week Wednesday the FCC filing, saying that Showers of Blessing is selling KNWJ-FM to Larry G. Fuss, owner of Contemporary Communications for $70,000.

Samoa News notes that Fuss is also the president of South Seas Broadcasting, Inc., owner of KKHJ-FM (93KHJ) and WVUV-FM (V103).

Responding to Samoa News inquiries, Fuss said last Friday that the FCC application was filed last week Monday and the sale will be final upon FCC approval — typically 60 days.         

Documents filed last Monday by Fuss and Contemporary Communications with the FCC show that the “purchase and sale agreement” of Radio Station KNWJ was signed Feb. 8, 2019 between Showers of Blessing — a partnership of Gerhard Sword and Lori Sword — and Contemporary Communications.

The sale price was $70,000 (confirmed by Fuss) with a $5,000 deposit upon signing of the agreement and the balance at the closing of the sale, according to the document, which also includes a list of assets included in the sale. (Specific details at www.fcc.gov)

“We bought KNWJ to add to our existing operation, KKHJ-FM and WVUV-FM,” Fuss said. “Although KNWJ was purchased by Contemporary Communications, it will eventually be folded into South Seas Broadcasting.”

He said KNWJ has been “off-air for several months and we wanted to bring the signal back to life.”

“We've been making great radio in American Samoa for nearly 20 years and we felt an additional station would be beneficial to us and to the community,” said Fuss, who has been in the radio broadcast industry for many years and part owner of several radio stations on the US and one in Hawai’i.

“Our first move was to get the station — KNWJ back on-air,” and that happened last week Monday, “[KNWJ] is currently simulcasting KKHJ until our new programming is ready to launch, probably within the next 30 days,” he said.

“For the record,” he said, KNWJ will become radio station KKBT-FM, effective Feb. 16th (last Saturday).

“What is now KKBT will become KVPP. That station will soon be programming the K-Love Contemporary Christian format.”

Information outlined in documents that Fuss filed with FCC, show that Shannon Cummings dba PURE TRUTH MINISTRIES is the licensee of KKBT-FM in American Samoa.