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Bidder wants WDUQ programming preserved

Bidder wants WDUQ programming preserved

When a radio station changes hands, the fates of its current format and staff become a question mark.

It's still something of a question mark for listeners and supporters of jazz and NPR station WDUQ-FM (90.5).

Essential Public Media is buying WDUQ from Duquesne University for $6 million. While Essential Public Media is committed to preserving the station as a public radio station, listeners are already wondering what the new 90.5 might be.

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Essential Public Media is a joint venture between two organizations -- one local, one out of town: adult alternative station WYEP-FM (91.3) and Boulder, Colo.-based Public Media Co., a new nonprofit launched by Public Radio Capital, whose mission is to build and preserve public media.

The deal is pending FCC approval and is expected to be cleared by June. A public comment period for the sale will begin in April.

It's too soon to say what the new WDUQ might look and sound like. At Friday's news conference announcing the sale, representatives of Essential Public Media talked about preserving public radio, NPR programming, local journalism and the legacy of jazz in the region.

But what the role of jazz will be on the new station remains to be seen. The nuts and bolts of the programming haven't been crafted yet, said WYEP general manager Lee Ferraro. "It's really early to say anything" about specific programming plans.

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Pittsburgh Public Media, the other bidder in the sale made up of a group of WDUQ staff members and community and business leaders to raise funds for the license, will be watching the process carefully. It is committed to preserving the current mix of jazz and news programming.

"We are ... proud of the public voices PPM helped foster throughout the media that clearly stated the absolute necessity of local news reporting and the continuation of Pittsburgh's musical heritage, jazz," PPM said in a statement issued Monday. "We wish the best for WYEP and its partners, and we hope that they recognize and see the value of the talented and dedicated staff of the existing 90.5FM."

PPM isn't going to disappear.

"We really focused on keeping the public involved in public radio. [WDUQ] belongs to the 200,000 listeners. This is their station," said PPM board chair Joseph Kelly. "We'll be watching this deal. The community voice of the station should not be lost."

First Published: January 19, 2011, 5:00 a.m.

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