WPKN Radio whose eclectic programming includes public affairs and arts offerings produced on the East End* has agreed to an arrangement to transfer the operation of WPKM 88.7 Montauk to Long Island based "Hamptons Community Radio".
Starting in the next few days 88.7 FM will broadcast as WEER (East End Radio) carrying music and locally produced offerings that include the East End programs produced for WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport. Following FCC approval HCR will be the licensee of the Montauk radio station. Hamptons Community Radio is also the licensee of WEER 90.7 which has yet to broadcast and the applicant for 2 additional radio channels in Hampton Bays and Westhampton.
The decision to transfer WPKM to Hamptons Community Radio should make it obvious that WPKN needs our support to continue with its unique brand of radio, as does the new 88.7 operated by Hamptons Community Radio.
WPKN is currently asking for your support which can be given on line at
www.wpkn.org or on Wednesday May 26 by calling 203-384-9756.
Peter Bochan, the general manager of WPKN says:
“Over the past few years, several eastern Long Islanders have been involved in developing local programming for this market. But ultimately a business decision was made by our station membership to concentrate on WPKN’s most immediate community and the geographic reach of our 89.5 signal out of Bridgeport that already covers large swaths of Suffolk County, Long Island including the North Fork and the Hamptons"
"We hope to direct any listeners affected by the loss of WPKM to alternative methods of obtaining our programming, including steering them to our internet stream, or by providing information on low-cost internet radios, which we could provide to our most loyal donors.”
Mr. Bochan can be reached at 203-331-9756
More info about the new Hamptons Community Radio can be found at
www.hamptonscommunityradio.org.
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* WPKN 89.5 FM airs
Tidings from Hazel Kahan, an interview series and
East End Ink, a literary review and the Eastern Long Island Arts Calendar. Also folk signers
Caroline Doctorow and
Mick Hargreaves are heard on the monthly
Songtrails Radio Hour. Scheduling at WPKN is under revision. See the program web sites for times and dates as they are announced.
