Buffalo Toronto Public Media will realign its properties in Buffalo NY to launch what it calls “a dynamic, broad-based station — essentially launching a semi-new service for the region — blending local news, public affairs, cultural programming, sports coverage, and music in a format designed to reflect the full breadth of the Buffalo and Toronto communities.”
BTPM recently applied to convert 94.5 WNED-FM Buffalo from a non-commercial license to commercial and will operate the new brand on that frequency in that manner.
To launch it, the organization will move its Classical programming from 94.5 WNED-FM to what is now Public News/Talk 88.7 WBFO. As the commercial license cannot air programming from NPR, the organization intends to retain Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me on the 88.7 signal. A 24/7 NPR feed will be available on an HD subchannel as well as continue to be heard on 88.1 WUBJ Jamestown and 91.3 WOLN Olean NY. A 24/7 Classical service will continue on HD as well as 89.7 WNJA Jamestown.
Moving to 94.5 will be the evening simulcast of the organization’s AAA “BTPM The Bridge” and high school football broadcasts. 94.5 will become what it calls “a reimagined, full-service station featuring local, national, and international news, public affairs, entertainment, sports, and music, supported by members and an advertising-eligible license”.
BTPM states that the realignment is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the organization’s long-term financial sustainability after the loss of $2.2 million in annual federal funding.
President/CEO Tom Calderone said, “The federal funding cut put us in a difficult position. But we are using this moment to think creatively — as we always have — about how we serve our community while protecting BTPM’s essential services. We still have details to finalize before the switch launches. However, we know how much our audiences value the stations they have listened to for decades, and we didn’t want to wait to share what’s ahead. Buffalo Toronto Public Media remains a nonprofit organization. Our mission, editorial standards, and public service commitment remain unchanged.”
BTPM says that more than half of its annual operating budget is supported by members as “the advertising-eligible license on 94.5 FM provides greater sponsorship flexibility, including the ability for sponsors to include calls-to-action and limited descriptive language. Advertising will be introduced gradually, with category restrictions and strict separation between editorial decision-making and sales operations.”
The changes will happen as early as May, but no specific date has been set.