98.5 KTIS

What 98.5 KTIS does

98.5 KTIS is a noncommercial, listener-supported Contemporary Christian radio station headquartered at 3003 Snelling Avenue N, Saint Paul, Minnesota, operating under the legal entity Northwestern Media, a ministry of the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. Founded in 1949, the station broadcasts on six FM frequencies covering the Twin Cities (98.5), Mankato (94.9), Willmar (92.7), Albert Lea (107.7), Rochester (94.3), and New Ulm (101.9), reaching audiences across greater Minnesota. Its core product is 24/7 Christ-centered audio programming combining contemporary Christian music with on-air personality segments, prayer support, and spiritual encouragement content.

The station distributes content through a multi-platform technology stack: a website (myktis.com), native iOS and Android applications (com.northwesternmedia.ktis and id1044811005), smart speaker skills on Amazon Alexa and Google Home via TuneIn, and online streaming. Auxiliary products include an original podcast portfolio (THE CHRIST, A Widow's Heart, I Love That Song, The Unfolding), live concert promotion, and a merchandising line (window stickers). Community-facing programs — KTIS Krew volunteers, Music Team listener panel, Drive-thru Difference, and Love that Sticks — extend the offering beyond passive listening.

Revenue mechanics are donation-driven rather than advertising-driven. Funding flows from individual listener contributions, a Day Partner program priced at $3,000 per day (which includes 20-second personalized on-air messages aired hourly between 6 am and 6 pm), and institutional support from Northwestern Media and the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. The station does not sell traditional advertising and does not disclose financials. The target audience is Christian listeners in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, with secondary engagement from churches, faith-based nonprofits (Healing Haiti, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, OneChild), and Christian music enthusiasts. Leadership is small (11–50 employees), with named contact roles limited to operational coordinators such as the KTIS Krew Volunteer Coordinator.

Name

98.5 KTIS

Legal name

Northwestern Media

Website

https://myktis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

98.5 KTIS is a noncommercial, listener-supported Contemporary Christian radio station serving the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota across six FM frequencies, digital streaming, mobile apps, and smart speakers. It is a ministry of Northwestern Media (University of Northwestern – St. Paul), funded by listener donations and a $3,000 Day Partner program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Religious/Faith-Based Stations (MPABACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG), Religious/Faith-Based Radio Networks (MPABABAC)

Keywords

• Contemporary christian music
• Christian radio broadcasting
• Listener-supported ministry
• Music streaming services
• Community radio programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations: The station is listener-supported and noncommercial, relying on donations from listeners to fund operations
2. Day Partner Program: $3,000 gift level includes a 20-second personalized message crafted by KTIS on-air talent, aired hourly between 6 am and 6 pm on preferred date
3. Ministry Support: Support from Northwestern Media and University of Northwestern – St. Paul as part of their ministry operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

98.5 KTIS is a Twin Cities Christian radio station that broadcasts contemporary Christian music 24/7 across six FM frequencies in Minnesota, with companion live streaming through a website player, native iOS/Android mobile apps, smart speaker integration (Alexa, Google Home via TuneIn), and an original podcast portfolio. The station operates as a listener-supported noncommercial ministry under Northwestern Media, supplementing on-air programming with community engagement programs (KTIS Krew volunteers, Day Partner sponsorship, Drive-thru Difference, Love that Sticks) and live concert events.

Product overview

98.5 KTIS is a Twin Cities Christian radio station owned and operated by Northwestern Media (a ministry of University of Northwestern – St. Paul), broadcasting since 1949. The core offering is live radio broadcast across multiple FM frequencies (98.5 Twin Cities primary, plus 94.9 Mankato, 92.7 Willmar, 107.7 Albert Lea, 94.3 Rochester, 101.9 New Ulm) and digital streaming via the KTIS mobile app (iOS/Android), smart speakers (Amazon Alexa, Google Home via TuneIn), and online player. The product portfolio centers on Christ-centered media combining contemporary Christian music with spiritual encouragement, supported by community engagement programs including KTIS Krew volunteer team, Day Partner sponsorship, Music Team listener panel, and outreach initiatives (Drive-thru Difference, Love that Sticks). Supplementary offerings include podcasts (THE CHRIST, A Widow's Heart, I Love That Song, The Unfolding), live concerts and station events, and merchandise (window stickers). The station operates as listener-supported ministry without commercial advertising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 98.5 KTIS Radio Broadcast Twin Cities Christian radio station broadcasting on 98.5 FM in Minneapolis/St. Paul, with additional frequencies in Mankato (94.9), Willmar (92.7), Albert Lea (107.7), Rochester (94.3), and New Ulm (101.9). Plays contemporary Christian music 24/7 with on-air personalities delivering encouragement, community news, and spiritual content for listeners in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.
• 98.5 KTIS Mobile App Native mobile application for iOS and Android enabling live streaming of the radio station, access to recently played songs with lyrics and music videos, on-air host information, event listings, and giveaways. Available for download via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• KTIS Podcasts Portfolio of Christ-centered original podcasts including 'THE CHRIST – An Immersive Audio Drama' (4-part series), 'A Widow's Heart' (grief support), 'I Love That Song' (artist interviews), and 'The Unfolding' (faith stories with host Meridith Foster). Available for listeners of the station.
• Day Partner Program Ministry partnership program allowing donors to dedicate a broadcast day for birthdays, anniversaries, or in memory of loved ones at the $3,000 gift level. Includes a 20-second personalized message crafted by KTIS on-air talent, aired hourly between 6am and 6pm on the preferred date, with options to receive a digital mp3 copy and to reserve the same day for the following year.
• Concerts & Live Events Organization and promotion of Christian music concerts featuring artists such as MercyMe, for King + Country, Micah Tyler, and We Are Messengers at venues including Target Center and Cedar Valley Church. Includes associated event promotion and ticket information for listeners.
• KTIS Krew Volunteer Program Volunteer community program enabling listeners to represent 98.5 KTIS at church, school, and community events including Sticker Stops, concerts, fundraisers, and donation drives. Coordinated by Grace Pompilio.
• Drive-thru Difference Community kindness initiative encouraging listeners to pay for the person behind them in drive-thrus on the first Friday of each month, with participants receiving cards to give to cashiers as conversation starters.
• Love that Sticks Community outreach program distributing custom sticky notes with hope and encouragement messages for participants to share throughout the Twin Cities community.
• Smart Speaker Integration Voice-activated streaming through Amazon Alexa devices (KTIS skill) and Google Home via TuneIn, allowing hands-free live radio listening in homes for listeners with smart speakers.
• Online Music Streaming Online and app-based live audio streaming of contemporary Christian music with recently played song tracking, artist information, lyrics, and music videos. Accessible via the myktis.com website and mobile apps.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving the Twin Cities since 1949
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Healing HaitiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealing Haiti is KTIS's July Ministry of the Month partner. The organization leads people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus and breaks the cycle of poverty in Haiti through local churches, education, job creation, and medical care. KTIS provides promotional support and community visibility for their mission.
• Union Gospel Mission Twin CitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion Gospel Mission Twin Cities is a community partner for KTIS's Summer of 10,000 Stickers campaign. Listeners are encouraged to bring shampoo and toothbrushes to Sticker Stop events to fill the mission's Bags of Hope with needed items for those in need.
• Northwestern MediacoreOthersNorthwestern Media is the parent organization that owns and operates 98.5 KTIS. It is a ministry of the University of Northwestern – St. Paul.
• University of Northwestern – St. PaulcoreOthersUniversity of Northwestern – St. Paul is the affiliated educational institution. KTIS is operated as a ministry of the university through Northwestern Media.
• OneChildminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOneChild is listed as a connection on the KTIS website, representing a child sponsorship organization focused on orphan prevention and family strengthening globally.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Relevant Radio: Relevant Radio is a Catholic radio network operating across the U.S. with listener-supported funding. Comparable to KTIS in faith-based radio model, multi-platform distribution, and donor-supported nonprofit structure, though with a Catholic rather than Protestant focus.
• K-LOVE: K-LOVE is a national contemporary Christian music radio network operated by Educational Media Foundation. It is the closest direct analogue to 98.5 KTIS in programming format, listener-supported funding model, and faith-based mission, but operates at national scale.
• WAY-FM Media Group: WAY-FM is a network of contemporary Christian music radio stations operating across multiple U.S. markets. Comparable to KTIS in format, faith-based content, and listener-supported nonprofit structure.
• American Family Radio: American Family Radio is a nonprofit Christian radio network operated by the American Family Association, broadcasting contemporary Christian music and teaching across multiple states. Comparable to KTIS in mission, format, and listener-supported model.
• Air1: Air1 is a sister network to K-LOVE, also operated by Educational Media Foundation, broadcasting contemporary Christian music with a listener-supported model. Comparable to KTIS in content format and funding approach, with a national footprint.
• Moody Radio: Moody Radio is the broadcast ministry of Moody Bible Institute, offering music, teaching, and Bible programming across 70+ stations. Comparable to KTIS in faith-based mission, listener-supported nonprofit model, and educational-ministry parent backing.
• Bott Radio Network: Bott Radio Network is one of the largest Christian radio networks in the U.S., offering Bible teaching, preaching, and Christian music. Comparable to KTIS in faith-based radio format and listener-supported funding model, with a much broader geographic footprint.
• Faith Radio: Faith Radio is a listener-supported Christian radio network broadcasting Bible teaching, preaching, and Christian music across multiple markets. Comparable to KTIS in faith-based listener-supported model and programming mix.

Emerging players

• WGTS 91.9: WGTS 91.9 is a listener-supported Christian radio station serving the Washington D.C. area, operated by positive alternative talk and contemporary Christian music programming. Comparable to KTIS as a single-market, nonprofit, faith-based contemporary Christian music station.

Broad incumbents

• Salem Media Group: Salem Media Group is the largest U.S. operator of Christian and conservative radio stations, owning hundreds of signals nationwide. Comparable to KTIS as a faith-based radio operator, but operates commercially at scale rather than as a single-station nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@98.5ktis
• Facebookfacebook.com/98.5KTIS
• Instagraminstagram.com/98.5KTIS
• Xx.com/KTIS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/98.5-ktis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 98.5 KTIS