STAR 93.3

What STAR 93.3 does

STAR 93.3 (legal entity: Pillar Ministries, Inc., EIN 31-0880701) is a listener-supported, 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian radio station operating on the 93.3 FM frequency (call sign WAKW) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1982 under the original name 'New Life 93,' the station broadcasts uplifting contemporary Christian music and faith-based programming 24/7 across a 75+ mile radius covering the Cincinnati Tri-State area (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana). Core product is the over-the-air FM broadcast, supplemented by a multi-platform digital footprint including iOS and Android mobile apps, a Smart TV app, Amazon Alexa voice activation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and specialized audio streams under sub-brands STAR Gospel and FLO Positive Hip Hop. Community engagement features include a Prayer Wall, SMS keyword program (texting to 54214), email newsletters, social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram), and recurring local events such as VBS Tours and the STAR 93.3 Golf Classic.

The station is part of the Pillar Media network of Christian radio stations operated by Pillar Ministries, which also includes WAWZ (New York Metro), KPOF (Denver), and — as of 2024 — KSRC/STAR 101.5 and KFCO/THE NEW FLO 107.1 in Denver. Revenue is generated through a hybrid non-profit model with approximately 50% from listener donations (monthly recurring gifts at $39+, one-time contributions, corporate matching, planned/legacy giving, and challenge fund campaigns) and 50% from on-air advertising sold primarily to local SMBs in healthcare, retail, senior care, home services, and HVAC/mechanical industries. Additional revenue lines include the in-house STAR Digital Strategies agency (web, SEO, digital campaigns) and event sponsorships. STAR 93.3 operates with 11–50 employees from offices in Cincinnati, serves both consumer listeners (faith-based adults seeking uplifting media) and business advertisers (local Tri-State companies targeting an affluent, loyal audience), and holds FCC broadcast licensing and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Name

STAR 93.3

Legal name

Pillar Ministries, Inc.

Website

https://star933.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

STAR 93.3 is a Cincinnati-based, listener-supported 501(c)(3) Christian radio station broadcasting contemporary Christian music on 93.3 FM across the Tri-State area, funded by ~50% donor contributions and ~50% local advertising, and serving faith-based adult listeners and regional SMB advertisers under parent Pillar Ministries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Broadcasting (TV & Radio) (MPABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Radio Broadcasting (MPAIAEAF), Religious/Faith-Based Radio Networks (MPABABAC)

Keywords

• Christian radio broadcasting
• Religious audio streaming
• Faith-based media
• Community ministry services
• Digital radio platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations/Contributions: STAR 93.3 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, listener-supported station. Listeners make one-time or recurring donations (monthly giving options) to support the ministry. Monthly donors at $39+ receive thank-you gifts. The station conducts periodic 3-day fundraising events on-air.
2. On-Air Advertising: Local businesses advertise on STAR 93.3. The station emphasizes playing fewer commercials than competitors so ads stand out. Listeners view advertisers as part of the shared mission, creating trust. The station reaches a 75+ mile radius covering the Tri-State area.
3. Corporate Matching Funds: Many employers offer matching gift programs that double or triple listener contributions to STAR 93.3.
4. Planned Giving/Legacy Gifts: Listeners can include STAR 93.3 in their will or estate plan. Stock donations are also accepted to avoid capital gains taxes while supporting the station.
5. Challenge Fund: Donations can be contributed to the Challenge Fund which provides matching funds during fundraising campaigns to inspire others to give.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

STAR 93.3 is a listener-supported Christian contemporary music radio station broadcasting on 93.3 MHz in the Cincinnati Tri-State area. It delivers uplifting music, ministry messages, and faith-based programming to individual listeners while selling on-air advertising packages and digital marketing services (STAR Digital Strategies) to local businesses. The station also operates sub-branded audio streams (STAR Gospel, FLO Positive Hip Hop) and community engagement platforms such as the Prayer Wall and The Jesus Table devotional program.

Product overview

STAR 93.3 is a listener-supported Christian radio station operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry. The primary offering is the STAR 93.3 FM radio station broadcasting uplifting Christian music 24/7. The product portfolio includes a mobile Radio App for iOS and Android, a Smart TV app for home listening, and specialized audio streams including STAR Gospel (gospel music) and FLO Positive Hip Hop (Christian hip hop). The station also offers community engagement features including a Prayer Wall for mutual prayer support, The Jesus Table faith study program, and an SMS text keywords service for daily encouragement and updates. Listeners can engage through on-air programming, digital streaming, contests, events, and volunteer opportunities through the ALL-STAR volunteer team.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STAR 93.3 Radio Broadcast
• STAR 93.3 Mobile App
• STAR 93.3 Smart TV App

Quantifiable outcome

• 30-50% more listening time per listener vs typical radio
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hatton FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 September 2026Presenting sponsor of the 2nd annual STAR 93.3 Golf Classic charitable event on September 28, 2026 at Oasis Golf Club. Foundation's sponsorship supports STAR 93.3's mission of encouraging people into a growing relationship with Jesus through media.
• Citygate Church CincinnatiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Chandler Moore & Anthony Evans worship concert on August 7, 2026. Co-hosted event bringing Grammy-award winning worship music to the STAR community.
• Landmark Church (Cincinnati)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for The Higher Places Tour featuring Consumed by Fire with Stars Go Dim, V. Rose, and Megan Danielle on August 28, 2026.
• Princeton Pike Church (Liberty Township)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Crowder LIVE! concert on October 20, 2026.
• Crossroads ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Florence Y'alls Faith and Family Night, a community baseball event featuring Christian band performances.
• Pillar Media / Pillar MinistriescoreOthersParent organization operating STAR 93.3 as part of a network of Christian radio stations including WAWZ (New York Metro), WAKW/Cincinnati (STAR 93.3), KPOF (Denver), KSRC/STAR 101.5 (Denver), and KFCO/THE NEW FLO 107.1 (Denver Christian Hip Hop). All stations share the mission of encouraging people into a growing relationship with Jesus through media.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KPOF (Denver): Sister station under Pillar Ministries serving the Denver market with a Christian teaching/music blend. Direct peer sharing operations, ownership, and listener-supported model.
• WAWZ (Star 99.1): Sister station under Pillar Ministries serving the New York Metro market. Direct Christian radio peer with the same ownership, ministry model, and contemporary Christian music format.
• Air1 Radio: EMF Broadcasting's worship-focused Christian radio network. Sister brand to K-LOVE with broader geographic reach and a listener-supported non-profit model closely matching STAR 93.3.
• Bott Radio Network: One of the largest Christian radio networks in the U.S., offering Bible teaching and Christian music across multiple markets. Listener-supported and comparable in format and ministry approach.
• EWTN Radio: Catholic radio network with listener-supported model and regional affiliates. Same faith-based broadcasting category with similar advertiser/donor dual revenue structure.
• K-LOVE: EMF Broadcasting's national contemporary Christian music radio network. Largest direct competitor in the U.S. Christian radio space with similar format, app, and digital streaming strategy.
• WAY-FM Media Group: National network of contemporary Christian music radio stations using a listener-supported model comparable to STAR 93.3, with multiple regional markets and digital streaming.

Broad incumbents

• iHeartMedia: Largest U.S. radio operator with hundreds of stations across all formats including Christian offerings. Broad incumbent in the same broadcast category with overlapping digital streaming and podcast platforms.
• Salem Communications / Salem Web Network: Large Christian and conservative media operator with radio stations, digital platforms, and publications. Broad incumbent sharing Christian radio and digital ministry spaces.
• SiriusXM Christian Channels: Subscription-based satellite and streaming audio service with multiple Christian music and talk channels. Competes for listener time and attention in the same audience but via subscription rather than ad/donation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UpliftingSTAR
• Facebookfacebook.com/mystar933
• Instagraminstagram.com/upliftingstarradio
• Xx.com/mystar933

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about STAR 93.3