News
Wisconsin Public Radio adds 29th station
WSSW-FM, 89.1, is the newest radio station in Wisconsin, serving residents in the Platteville area with commercial-free news and music programming from Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR). The station went on the air Feb. 1.
A mix of news and music
WPR is a statewide system of 29 stations operated by the UW Board of Regents and the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. Eighteen stations broadcast WPR's Ideas Network lineup of talk and entertainment programs, and now 11 stations carry WPR's mix of NPR News programs and classical music.
"WSSW-FM is now bringing National Public Radio news programs, our classical music, folk music and jazz to listeners in the area." says WPR Director Phil Corriveau. The station is broadcasting 24 hours a day.
Improved reception
The new station provides WPR programming to listeners in the area who previously had difficulty receiving the signal because of the terrain of the area. WPR engineers indicate that the new signal extends 10 -15 miles from the transmitter site, reaching Platteville, Cuba City, Tennyson, Lancaster, Dodgeville and Darlington.
Generous financial supporters
Cable television company Mediacom Wisconsin donated the tower and building to Wisconsin Public Radio; UW-Platteville rents the land to public radio for $1.00 per year. WPR listeners across the state, through the Wisconsin Public Radio Association friends group, contributed $77,000 for transmission equipment.
For schedule information: www.wpr.org; (800) 747-7444 for a printed copy
By Bill Estes, Milwaukee area regional manager, Wisconsin Public Radio