Bermuda Broadcasting Company (BBC) Board has discontinued it's partnership with Bermuda Spirit, the independent management group that BBC had asked to oversee and improve the operations of its FM 105 (formerly AM 1230) radio station since 2002.

The decision, which was made on July 14 unilaterally by BBC, has meant that the revised Christian community format that had been in place since the new station's official launch in March 2008, was discontinued from that date and immediately replaced with the satellite feed from the Moody Bible Network out of Pikeville, Kentucky.

Regular programming such as Spirit Mornings, Kids Quiz, community chat segments, Sounds of Praise, Radikal Praize, Fireproof Gospel, Spirit Overnight and others were discontinued as the station reverted to its original format.

The BBC Board through its Chairman, Mr. Fernance Perry, stressed in a subsequent meeting with Bermuda Spirit that the move was solely "a business decision", and one that provided immediate and significant funding to the station. Subsequent negotiations have resulted in sponsored local programmes secured by the management group to continue to be broadcast until their contract end date.

Bermuda Spirit President, Mrs. Evelyn James-Barnett said the management group would abide by the Company's decision, noting the management team was gratified that both listenership and revenue for the station had increased during their operation of the station, notwithstanding the short time and the parameters within which the team were allowed to operate under former BBC CEO Mr. Ulric Richardson.

Mrs. James-Barnett said: "The station was building a wonderful rapport with its listeners, and they as well as our volunteers and our programmers were our major concern when we were informed of the BBC decision.

"We wish to publicly extend heartfelt appreciation to all of the Bermuda Spirit family who have expressed their concern and encouragement, and offered prayers over the last several weeks, as we sought clarification of the decision."

She said: "The BBC has exercised its prerogative to pursue other options for providing Christian radio in Bermuda. We certainly respect that and wish them well in their endeavours."

Mrs. James-Barnett said that Bermuda Spirit is a registered charity as a faith-based broadcast management group and is considering a number of options to provide Christian ministry through broadcast and other media.