PBS 45/49 moves some offices to Akron and will change on air identity

Updated news from our friends at “Ohio Media Watch” reports that PBS outlets WNEO 45 (Alliance) and WEAO 49 (Akron) has begun using offices from their new satellite headquarters at the United Building in downtown Akron as of July 1st. While the stations are still located in downtown Kent, the Akron offices & studios will be used for some production & underwriting opportunities. Ironically they join NPR affiliate WKSU 89.7 at the same location with it’s separate Akron news bureau. The PBS outlets will also drop the “PBS 45/49” identity this fall with “Western Reserve PBS” to coincide with the new name of the company, “Western Reserve Public Media.” The station follows a new trend of over the air stations dropping their station numbers. Another in the area is “Fox 17/62” slowly phasing out that identity for “Fox Youngstown.” While some stations are no longer using the numbers on air, others that are going digital next February on another channel position are electing to keep their analog number mapped in order to keep the identity viewers are familiar with after the transition. So far, WKBN DT 41 will stick with 27, WFMJ DT 20 will remain 21 and WYTV DT 36 will hold on to 33.