Ithaca Community Radio
Why we are now Re-Broadcasting WSQX
Press Release 13 May 2010
Ithaca Community Radio, 88.1 FM announces interim collaboration with WSKG; program change May 14, as we transition to our own station
Contact:
Ithaca Community Radio/ Finger Lakes Community Radio
Rene Borgella, Chairperson, ICR Board of Directors607-319-5445 or electronic mail
WSKG Public Radio
Ken Campbell, Manager
607-729-0100 x339 or electronic mail
Since 2002, Ithaca Community Radio (ICR) has been re-broadcasting the signal of WEOS-FM, a Geneva, NY station owned by the Hobart William Smith Colleges (HWS). ICR has been awaiting a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their own primary station, so that they may at long last fulfill their mission of creating local community radio. Now that ICR has received FCC permission, they hope to be broadcasting their own primary station, WINO-FM, Odessa, by the end of the year and relaying it to Ithaca listeners via their current frequency 88.1 FM, which is licensed by the FCC as a translator only. They had planned to continue re-broadcasting WEOS until then, but that will no longer be possible for technical reasons.
This month, HWS will turn on their new station in Ithaca, WITH-FM, that they are operating in collaboration with WXXI Public Radio of Rochester, NY. Due to the physics of radio transmission and reception, ICR will no longer be able to receive the signal of WEOS in the manner prescribed by law. Binghamton-based WSKG Public Radio, whose main station has served Ithaca for over 25 years, has graciously stepped forward to aid in the interim, by offering ICR the signal of WSQX, another of its stations presently available only to a few Ithacans with HD radios.
WSQX’s programming features jazz and NPR news, but also includes independent programs already broadcast on ICR's 88.1 FM: Democracy Now!, Alternative Radio, Counterspin, and Living On Earth. The management of WSKG has offered to collaborate with ICR on a customized broadcast for Ithaca, that will allow them to phase in more of the independent syndicated programs local listeners already love, such as Free Speech Radio News and Making Contact, as well as some new offerings that will include some of ICR's high-quality locally produced programs that will be at the heart of their schedule in the future.
On May 14, ICR will commence re-broadcasting WSQX on 88.1 in Ithaca, as they work with WSKG staff over the coming month to make schedule changes, add new programming, and iron out the technical details.
About Ithaca Community Radio/ Finger Lakes Community Radio
ICR is a local not-for-profit initiative founded in 2002 to provide radio for the community, by the community to the people who live in the heart of the Finger Lakes region near Ithaca and Watkins Glen. Recognized by the New York State Board of Regents as an educational organization, our mission is to give area residents access to the airwaves to exercise their intellect and creativity in the production of radio programs that will promote meaningful discourse on important issues, highlight local civic and cultural activities, and to determine our media priorities in bringing to the air quality programs produced elsewhere that address our informational and educational needs.About WSKG
WSKG serves to inspire with the highest quality educational programming, explore the arts, culture and heritage of the region and beyond, engage in thoughtful consideration of news and issues of importance, and entertain with the very best in multimedia programming. WSKG is operated by WSKG Public Telecommunications Council, a private non-profit corporation chartered by the Board of Regents of the State University of New York in association with the New York State Department of Education. WSKG Public Broadcasting provides a public broadcasting service to residents in a 21- county coverage area that includes the Southern Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.
Here's a PDF version of this Press Release.
Latest News
Fall & Winter 2010Benefits and Fundraisers for ICR. If you are able to help us set up or host an event, please get in touch! We'd like to have several benefit and fundraisers to help make possible our new, full-power broadcast operations. Aug 2010
The Water Street Songwriters held a Benefit Concert for us at The Rongovian Embassy in T'burg on Aug 29th. It was great fun for all and wonderful to meet some of our listeners and supporters. Here's the concert poster. February 2010
We've acquired a new office and studio space in The Clinton House in downtown Ithaca. January 2, 2010
2009 was a great year for Ithaca Community Radio, but we're planning to make 2010 even better. We've got big changes up ahead, so stay tuned. And as always, many thanks to the Finger Lakes community for your generous support. We couldn't do it without you!
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