Private company

Trans World Radio

Logo: https://ktlf.radio/ ( https://ktlf.radio/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TWR-logo.png ), Non-free logo, via Wikipedia4

Christian radio station

TWR (also known as Trans World Radio) is a multinational, evangelical Christian media distributor. The largest Christian media organization in the world, it uses high-powered medium-wave (AM) and shortwave transmitters, local FM radio stations, cable, satellite, the internet, mobile devices and other digital technologies.2 It was founded by Paul Freed.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1954Founded1

TWR (also known as Trans World Radio) is a multinational, evangelical Christian media distributor. The largest Christian media organization in the world, it uses high-powered medium-wave (AM) and shortwave transmitters, local FM radio stations, cable, satellite, the internet, mobile devices and other digital technologies.2

The story

Founded by Paul Freed in 1954.1

TWR started in 1952, when Paul Freed set up the organization to reach Spain by broadcasting from Morocco: on February 22, 1954, The Voice of Tangier in Morocco broadcast the first TWR transmission to Europe.

The history of this radio mission began with a 2,500-watt shortwave transmitter dating back to World War II. The programs, initially intended for the Iberian Peninsula in Spanish and English, quickly expanded. On January 1, 1956, a new 10,000-watt transmitter was added, allowing large parts of Europe to be reached. By the time The Voice of Tangier ceased broadcasting in 1959, the radio mission was broadcasting in 24 languages.

Until 1959, Tangier was an international zone, but then it was placed under the control of the Moroccan government. The government decreed that all nongovernmental radio stations had to cease operations by December 31, 1959. Thus, the story of TWR from Tangier ended after less than five years.

Before leaving Morocco, Freed signed a contract to build and operate a shortwave transmitter at Radio Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco in September 1959. Since May 1960, TWR was broadcasting from the transmitter facilities previously built by the Nazis on Mount Agel in Monte Carlo. A medium-wave transmitter was added four years later.

Other major transmitting sites have included Guam (KTWG), Bonaire, Sri Lanka, Cyprus, and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). The Federal Communications Commission has assigned the call letters KTWR to the Guam transmitter site. The callsign PJB is assigned to the Bonaire station. TWR announced plans to shut down KTWR on Guam by October 2025 due to logistics and cost issues related to Guam's remote location and the station's aging equipment. All programs intended for countries across Asia would continue, however, broadcasts being relocated to other partner stations.

From 1995, TWR broadcast from state-owned transmitters in Meyerton near Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as from two formerly Soviet states in Central Asia.

From Wikipedia’s article on Trans World Radio, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5

Leadership

Who has led Trans World Radio, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Products and brands

TWR is member of the Association of Christian Broadcasters.

From Wikipedia’s article on Trans World Radio, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5

Former names

  • Voice of Tangier1954 to 19591

Timeline

  1. 1960Renamed Name changed to Транссвітове радіо1
  2. 1960Renamed Name changed to Трансмировое радио1
  3. 1960Renamed Name changed to Trans World Radio1
  4. 1954Founded Founded1

Funding

Where the company's money came from, by calendar year: private offerings filed with the SEC, federal grants, loans, contracts and other assistance from USAspending.gov, and PPP loans from the SBA. Each bar links to the records below.

Money received by year$1.6M 2020–2020
Money received by yearMoney received by year, 2020–2020: $1.6M in all. PPP loans $1.6M.$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M2020 · PPP loans: $1.6M2020
Figures by year
YearPPP loansTotal
2020$1.6M$1.6M

PPP loans

Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 and up, approved April 2020 to July 2021, from the SBA6. Matched to this company by name and state.

  1. Apr 15, 2020$1.6M PPP loan (first draw) from PNC Bank, National Association6To TRANS WORLD RADIO, Cary NC; $1.6M forgiven Jan 14, 2021