« It's Finally Cat Friday Again! | Main | New IPR Director Faces "Challenges To Objectivity," Says Copwatch »
Friday, May 16, 2008
Music New Radio Coming to Portland!
Posted by on Fri, May 16 at 10:56 AM
Preset your car stereos—and your boombox bikes—to 91.1 FM, because come next year, Portland is getting a new radio station. And not just another typical radio station, we’re talking a local music friendly, and commercial-free, station.
Jeff Simmons, of the web-based Portland Radio Authority, looks forward to hearing local music on the FM dial. “Portland has one of the strongest independent music communities in the country. We have an international reputation for our music, but you wouldn’t know it listening to FM radio in Portland. 91.1 will give access to this vibrant cultural asset, and will open outsiders’ ears to the amazing things happening in Portland.”
A lot of details need to be sorted out, but you can read the full press release after the jump.
In the meantime, I am perfecting my wacky morning zoo routine. Watch your backs, Playhouse.
End Hits: “Rock-a-doodle-doo, you’re listening to Bill and Marty!”
METROEAST COMMUNITY MEDIA AND COALITION OF COMMUNITY GROUPS ACQUIRE
RADIO LICENSE
GRESHAM, Ore., May 16, 2008-MetroEast Community Media, in
collaboration with a coalition of community groups, received word
this week that its application for a non-commercial educational (NCE)
radio station has been approved by the Federal Communications
Commission. With its transmitter located on Mt. Hood, the signal of
the new station - 91.1 on the FM dial - will reach most of the East
Metro area as well as much of Portland east of the Willamette.
The license was granted as part of a rare opening of non-commercial
radio licenses available to non-profit organizations. The
coalition has been working for more than a year to acquire the
construction permit. According to Common Frequency representative
Todd Urick "This is a once in a generation opportunity. This may
well be the last time we have a window like this where community
organizations can get a full power non-commercial FM radio license."
Common Frequency assists non-profits in acquiring NCE radio licenses.
As a non-commercial station, 91.1 will run no advertising and will
be supported by its listeners and underwriting.
While decisions about the new station's format are still being made,
Bruce Fife, President of Musicians Local 99, said, "We're hopeful
that Portland's diverse and vibrant local music scene will be
well-represented on this new station. It's long past time for these
talented musicians to share valuable space on the air waves."
Jeff Simmons, of the web-based Portland Radio Authority, looks
forward to hearing local music on the FM dial. "Portland has one of
the strongest independent music communities in the country. We have
an international reputation for our music, but you wouldn't know it
listening to FM radio in Portland. 91.1 will give access to this
vibrant cultural asset, and will open outsiders' ears to the amazing
things happening in Portland."
Rob Brading, CEO of MetroEast said, "We're thrilled to have acquired
this license on behalf of the community. Other than our founding,
this license is probably the most important event in MetroEast's
25-year history. We're very excited with the opportunity to offer
radio with an east side emphasis and to give voice to the vibrant
local music scene."
Brading expects the station to go on the air sometime in
2009. "Next year is MetroEast's 25th anniversary. What better way
to celebrate than by going on the air with this new station?"
Comments
This is great news! I hope the station truly comes to fruition. Portland would be privileged.
The reason you don't hear it on FM radio in Portland now is because there is little demand for it from listeners. If people were demanding it you would hear far more local music on the stations. It's called BUSINESS for those who don't understand that radio stations are ran to make a profit.
bigted - it ain't just what people want to hear that dictates playlists. despite elliott spitzer's attempts to fix it payola is still uber widespread in commercial radio. it is NOT a level playing field for independent or unsigned artists. this new station is amazing news for the local music community. yay!
This will be great for those of us who:
1. Are continually yawning at the so called "variety" put forth by local stations.
2. Can't stomach the grinding, obnoxious commercials.
3. Find that the "we know best" attitude of KBOO just isn't quite to their liking.
4. Love something new.
bigted, Have you ever heard of media consolidation? Go to any city in the country and you'll hear pretty much the same 5 or 6 radio stations. It's not demand so much as being force-fed.
Personally, all I've listened to on my radio since I moved to Portland 8 years ago is Air America or NPR. My hometown at least had decent college and public station.s
Ted - the reason we don't hear more local music isn't because there's no demand for it in Portland. It's because there's no demand for Portland music in the rest of the country, and the programmers are aiming for a nationwide listenership. In this instance, purely local is undoubtedly good. Why do you think KNRK (94.7) does so well?
After spending time in the twin cities, I've decided that the only think Portland is lacking is a truly independent, awesome radio station. Check out Minneapolis' 89.3 the current.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/
As an avid ipod listener, I still tune in to the local radio station because of great personalities who know a ton about a huge variety of music and play what they can of their local scene.
I hope that this new radio station realizes all its potential in indie-rock capital Portland.
I would prefer more talk radio as I can’t get enough of it.
I would prefer more talk radio as I can’t get enough of it.
No one will ever listen to radio. The next thing you know people will be pushing movie theatres down our throats!
YOU SAID IT, JOLLYOLDMAN! TALK RADIO IS THE BE ALL, END ALL OF RADIO! THE TRUE PURPOSE OF RADIO IS TO YAK IT UP, AND EVENTUALLY BAN MUSIC ALTOGETHER!
I love Emo Goth Rap, and I am tired of local radio stations that shill sweet, silly, singer-songwriter sap. If that's what you want, go get drunk at the Laurelthirst. But don't poison the airwaves further.
Ah ceean't here a durned thing, dagnabbit.
Will they allow White Power Punk on their station? If not, they're clearly not representing the whole community.
Power To The White People! Power To The White Man, Specifically!
94.7 has had a local channel on their HD sub frequency for awhile now,, i don't have an HD radio and not many do, but it's available online at 947.fm
Yay for a new decent sounding station! I abhor that playhouse.
That's great! I'm right with you jk.
I'm a long time radio broadcaster and I'm excited for the idea of a station playing plenty of local music from a variety of genres.
At almost every station I've worked at I have been able to play some local music in one way, shape or form. The NW is a hot bed for indie music.
Our Friends
- UrbanHonking
- Your Daily Awesome
- Portland Metroblogs
- Hype Machine
- Lelo in NoPo
- Furious Nads!
- Oregon Media Insiders
- Huffington Post
- Loaded Orygun
- Food Fight Grocery
- Jesus Christ's Blog
- Willamette Week
- BlueOregon
- Pampelmoose
- The Etchasketchist
Our Enemies
- Russian Amputee Brides
- God Hates Fags (Westboro Baptist Church)
- Portland Indy Media
- Oregon Republican Party
- Jack Bog's Blog
- The Stranger
- Men Who Look Like Kenny Rogers
- Any Dumbass Still Using MySpace
- Portland Monthly
- Life Decisions International
- Courtney Taylor-Taylor
- The Earthly Minions of Emperor Klaktu
All contents © 2006 Index Publishing • Privacy Policy • Contact Info • Production Guidelines
Awesome.