Jazz in Pittsburgh

The jazz format is a step closer to returning to the air in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Public Media(PPM) has been approved by the FCC to purchase WVBC in Bethany West Virginia. WVBC is currently owned by Bethany College.

The signal area does not quite reach Pittsburgh. Plans are to upgrade the signal, or buy other signals to better cover the Pittsburgh area. PPM currently programs jazz on-line but, an over the air signal is still the best way to reach a larger audience.

WVBC was fined by the FCC in June, 2012 for being off the air more than 30 days without notice to the FCC and for failure to file for renewal in a timely manner.  WVBC Forfeiture.

You can read more about the purchase in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

PPM still needs to raise at least $100,000 to build a new studio and to cover other costs. If you interested you can help.  http://www.pittsburghpublicmedia.org

PPM may bring jazz back

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette is reporting that Pittsburgh Public Media (PPM) is moving ahead with plans to acquire WVBC-FM. WVBC-FM is currently owned by Bethany College. If PPM can raise the funds   necessary by February First and, the FCC approves the sale, the station will carry Jazz full time.

PPM acknowledges that WVBC-FM does not cover Pittsburgh. PPM Board President Chuck Leavens says they will try to boost the signal so it will reach Pittsburgh.

The programming will be provided by PubMusic. Among the hosts is Scott Hanley the former GM of WDUQ.

WDUQ's Uncertainty May Make Them Stronger

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette has published a thoughtful and hopeful article by Adrian McCoy about the future of WDUQ in Pittsburgh. The strength of WDUQ's community support may make it possible for WDUQ to support itself. The help of Public Radio Capital an organization with previous experience with this type of situation, might make it possible.

The article sites a similar situation on Long Island at WLIU. I think WDUQ is in a much stronger position. The Pittsburgh station already gets 50% of it's funding from members and gets considerable support from corporations. They have robust audience figures. And, they have very little competition for the NPR news they offer (plus program offerings from Public Radio International and American Public Media). WLIU is starting from scratch. Listener Sensitive Income at WLIU was almost non-existent before the sale of the station to Peconic Public Broadcasting, and their fundraising efforts are still short of what they need. WLIU's audience is small. And, there's plenty of competition for the NPR news audience from WSHU and Connecticut Public Radio.

Also important to both stations is their community service. Local programming can create networks of support throughout their communities if done well. I think it was Audience 98 that concluded, "Community service begets community support." The formula worked for us at WNPR.