Pgh. Public Media signs Purchase Agreement
November 9, 2012Pittsburgh Public Media reports via its Facebook Group that it has signed an agreement to purchase “88.1 FM in the Pittsburgh region.” (PBRTV later confirmed that the signal in question is the current WVBC in Bethany, West Virginia based on the reports and maps on the organization’s website.)
The signal reaches Weirton, Steubenville, Wheeling and as far as Pittsburgh’s South Hills neighborhoods. Improving the signal into Pittsburgh is a top priority, but PPM is seeking financial support to make it happen.
Additionally, in order for the purchase transaction to be finalized, the organization MUST raise $150,000 by February 1, 2013.
The goal for the station is to pick up where WDUQ-FM (90.5) left off in 2011 when it was taken over by Essential Public Media as WESA-FM. That means, at the very least, it will air the programming heard currently on The Pittsburgh Jazz Channel online, but either way the intention is to feature the familiar voices of WDUQ. Meanwhile, the studios of the intended 88.1 will be outfitted with the original WDUQ studio equipment which was sold to PubMusic by WESA.
PubMusic and Pittsburgh Public Media have joined forces and the PPM board was recently reformed specifically for this project. Pittsburgh Public Media was originally formed by ex-WDUQ employees in 2010 as a likely contender to purchase the station from Duquesne University. Despite their efforts, the station was sold to EPM in 2011. Meanwhile, former ‘DUQ engineer Chuck Leavens formed PubMusic which operates the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel featuring Tony Mowod and other familiar DUQ voices.
Or could it be perhaps – WRWJ, 88.1FM – Murrysville, PA?
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WRWJ&service=FM&status=L&hours=U
No, it is in fact WVBC which is currently owned by Bethany College.
Well what about 88.3 in Pittsburgh? It’s a shame those students are losing their station again.
When did “those students” ever “lose” their station before? WRCT Pittsburgh has been one of the more stable college stations to exist.
Increasing WVBC’s power to improve coverage into Pittsburgh will not happen. Any increase in power will place WVBC’s interfering contour into WRWJ’s protected contour and will not be granted by the FCC. At the most they could increase WVBC from 1100watts to 1125 watts and gain 2 miles. All Pittsburgh will hear is more interference from the two stations.
Behind the scenes of this operation is engineer Chuck Leavens. I feel certain that he’s already thought of this and will come to a decent resolution – even if it means using a translator or other means.