In an age when satellite radio services, IPods and other trendy technological advances are turning the radio industry on its ear, WFYI Public Radio is fostering new community partnerships, which
bring a stronger "local" presence to FM radio.
Through a new collaboration with Wabash College, WFYI Public Radio will link West Central Indiana residents and commuters with NPR and BBC’s award-winning programming services, in addition to local newscasts, weather forecasts, traffic reports and Indiana business briefs, all originating from 90.1 FM’s Indianapolis news bureau.
Beginning Labor Day (Monday, September 5), much of WFYI Public Radio’s broadcast schedule (Mon-Fri, from 3:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and weekends), will be simulcast on Wabash College’s 40-year-old campus radio station, WNDY 91.3 FM. Under this new arrangement, which is being modeled after a highly successful partnership with Franklin College earlier this year, WFYI Public Radio will be able to broaden its reach in West Central Indiana to better serve listeners in Montgomery County, Parke County, Brownsburg and the south side of Lafayette.
"At a time when many broadcasters are instituting ‘voiceless’ radio formats in order to compete with emerging technologies, WFYI Public Radio is fostering creative new partnerships, which will not only expand the reach of our broadcast signal, but enrich our local presence in the Central Indiana community," said Lloyd Wright, President and CEO of WFYI Public Broadcasting. "Whether you’re on a college campus, in the corporate office, or commuting along the interstate — WFYI’s portability will enable you to stay in touch with your community and the complex world surrounding it," he added.
"We're delighted to enter this partnership with WFYI that brings Public Radio back to Montgomery County," said Wabash President Andrew T. Ford. "Simulcasting WFYI's signal throughout Montgomery and surrounding counties will provide a real benefit to radio listeners. We're also excited about the possibilities our students will have to learn from WFYI's staff through summer internships."
The collaboration will present Wabash College students with full-time summer internship opportunities in the areas of broadcast journalism, radio and television production and marketing. A portion of WNDY’s schedule will be reserved for Wabash College’s football and basketball games, along with student-produced programming in the evening. WNDY’s signal is streamed in Real Audio on the Wabash College Web site.
As a trusted catalyst for lifelong learning, WFYI Public Broadcasting engages and enriches our community through distinctive programs and services. For more information on WFYI’s programs and educational outreach services, visit: wwww.wfyi.org.