NRB Top Honors Recognize Salem Communications On Air and Online

CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The National Religious Broadcasters has announced its full complement of annual awards for 2006 including three top honors for Salem Communications media. The 'Radio Station of the Year - Talk Format' goes to WAVA 780 AM/105.1 FM serving the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas. The 'Best Radio Talk Show' award recognizes The Frank Pastore Show on 99.5 FM KKLA in the Los Angeles market. The 'Best Broadcast Website' honor goes to OnePlace.com, the largest provider of Christian audio content on the Internet today.

"These NRB awards constitute the Religious Broadcasting industry's version of the Emmys, so this is indeed a very high honor," said Joe Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Salem Communications. "To win three of them is not a small thing, especially when they represent a cross-section of what we do - best station, best talk show, and best broadcast website. Our people at all levels deserve a great deal of credit for this recognition by their peers. As Salem's reputation develops from a pure-play radio business to an emerging multimedia enterprise, we aim for consistent quality and fresh, family-friendly content in all that we offer to our listeners and users."

WAVA's 105.1 FM and 780 AM Life Changing Talk Radio features premier teaching ministries and personalities such as "Janet Parshall's America," "The Don Kroah Show" and a host of other national and local experts and Bible scholars. Serving the greater D.C. area, WAVA programming aims to help listeners handle relationship and families issues, and to apply Biblical principles to the challenges of everyday life.

"The Frank Pastore Show" on 99.5 FM KKLA, featuring the former pro baseball player and atheist, is honored with the highly prized "Best Radio Talk Show" award. With barely three years on the air in the nation's second largest market, this rookie radio host grapples with breaking news, politics and pop culture from a distinctly Christian perspective during weekday afternoon drive time. Pastore's hard-hitting, high-energy style makes for compelling radio, as evidenced by the fact that show ratings are up 60% in the past year.

On air and online, Salem media has drawn kudos for creative and effective broadcasting. Launched in 1998, OnePlace.com is the largest provider of Christian audio content on the Internet, offering a rich assortment of on-demand content from myriad broadcast partners including Chuck Swindoll, Kay Arthur, Jack Graham and many more top scholars, Bible teachers and life experts who aim to build faith and practical life skills for Salem's growing audience.

The NRB is an association of Christian communicators that fosters electronic media access for the Gospel; promotes standards of excellence, integrity and accountability; and provides networking and fellowship opportunities for its members. The 2006 awards will be presented at the 2007 NRB convention this week in Orlando, Florida.

Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:SALM) is a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, magazine and book publisher focused on Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. In addition to its radio properties, Salem owns Salem Radio Network(R), which syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliates; Salem Radio Representatives(TM), a national radio advertising sales force; Salem Web Network(TM), a leading Internet provider of Christian content and online streaming; and Salem Publishing(TM), a leading publisher of Christian-themed magazines. Upon the close of all announced transactions, the company will own 98 radio stations, including 61 stations in 23 of the top 25 markets. Additional information about Salem may be accessed at the company's website, www.salem.cc.

Source: Salem Communications Corporation