This is a more voluntary deal. I think. In exchange airtime on Student-run WRUR, receives equipment support, technical training and doest have to lawyer up. 1370 WXXI-AM gets airtime on a strong Rochester FM signal. Isn't that what every AM wants? Executive Vice President of WXXI Susan Rogers said. WXXI approached the on-campus station about exchanging services for open spots. "WXXI had programming and wanted to be put in an FM outlet and we had the time," Director of Wilson Commons and Student Activities Anne-Marie Algier said. More here.In a very real sense WRUR was off air so much that they ran the risk of losing their FCC license. The Fed's require NCE stations to be on air 12 hours a day. The kids at U. of Rochester had a little trouble with that work schedule. Like many college staitons the problem was worse in the summer, but any gap left them open to forced arbitation from any community group. and lets not kids ourselves. it's enver the lions Club that sues the college staiton. it's going to be Klove.
So for WRUR ther's that. They get to maintain automomy under the deal indefinitely. and WXXI who virtually loses their signal at night gets to flip over to a 3,000-watt FM signal and it's WXXI that pays for the hardware. The deal isnt' so bad. I guess that means they'll chip in when they are federally mandated to switch to HD? http://www.wxxi.org/The schedule works like this. WXXI will broadcast on 88.5 in the morning from 5am -9am carrying "Morning Edition," and simulcasting with their AM stick. It's better than the old AP wire right? the students fear a hostile take over of 
course and as much as WXXI Public Broadcasting tried to allay that fear... they've made some comments that hint that they might want a little more later on.
course and as much as WXXI Public Broadcasting tried to allay that fear... they've made some comments that hint that they might want a little more later on."There are different ways to provide support, and that's just what we are trying to do... We're trying to work on new things, possibly having streamed radio for alumni, for instance, who don't have any access to the station. We want to strengthen the station within the limits of what we can do." Said the Executive Vice President of WXXI Susan Rogers. I'm not trying to stoke the fires of paranoia, if the deal works out both parties benefit. If it dosen't, U. of Rochester sells the stick for a cool mil. We'll have to wait and see.
Posts
Jose, mi amigo...
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a new arrangement, just to be clear: WRUR's near-death experience took place about four years ago, and the WXXI/WRUR arrangement began back then. It's actually grown quite a bit, by mutual agreement, in the years since. WXXI (which is my part-time employer) simulcasts AM 1370 programming from 5-9 AM and from 4-6 PM. We provide separate programming (a morning folk/AAA show from 9-noon that's become quite popular, then World Cafe from 2-4) at other times of the day. The students program middays and at night. Weekends are community programmers and more students.
WRUR is getting a new transmitter site out of the deal, as well as internship and even job opportunities for the students. And, oh yeah, it's not a religious sat-caster, and won't be one at least as long as the arrangement between the university and WXXI lasts.
So, at least from my biased perspective (and I should note that I speak here only for myself, not for WXXI), I think it's a pretty happy ending.
(Oh, and thanks for the calendar plug!)
Oh no, certainly not new. I try not to cover news here at all. th edeal is interesting and equitable for both parties and for certain is a fine alternative to The Hoosier Public Radio Corporation filing for a share time agreement.
ReplyDelete