witf 89.5, 93.3FM Coverage of “All Things Regional” Begins Monday!

At 5 a.m. on Monday, June 25th, witf 89.5 and 93.3 FM will change to an all news and information format. The format change was approved by the witf Board of Directors on June 1st to provide the highest possible level of public service and to fulfill its commitment to coverage of “all things regional.”

The shift to news and information features several important changes to the 89.5 and 93.3 schedule:

• The Diane Rehm Show, one of witf’s most requested programs, will air from 10 am to noon.
• Talk of the Nation, NPR’s daily talk/interview program, will air at 2 pm and at 10 pm.
• A new original series, Center Stage, will feature the concerts of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Market Square Concerts and other performing and presenting groups from our region. Center Stage will feature classical, jazz and other musical genres each Saturday and Sunday evening at 8 pm.
• Other programs joining the schedule for the first time are Here and Now (noon, weekdays), The Story (1 pm weekdays), On Point (8 pm weekdays) and The Splendid Table (Saturdays at 2 pm), as well as Marketplace Money (Saturdays at 7 am) and On Being (Sundays at 7 am)
• The BBC World Service, a globally admired journalistic resource, will be featured overnight (weekdays 11 pm and Saturdays/Sundays 10 pm).
• The full schedule and program descriptions for 89.5 and 93.3FM can be accessed here: http://www.witf.org/listen.

“witf and NPR have an established track record of providing trusted news globally, nationally and regionally,” said witf President Kathleen Pavelko. “It’s not a decision we make lightly, but we are certain it will provide better coverage of our region, including of the arts and cultural community.”

“The Board’s strategic plan recognizes that witf has a vital role to play in an environment in which the quantity of quality journalism, especially in broadcasting, has been in decline,” said Doug Neidich, board chair and president of GreenWorks Development. “Our responsibility is to provide the most valued possible service to listeners.”

Classical music listeners now have a 24-7 option of their own--a classical music internet channel on witf.org, witf Classical. Now lovers of classical music will be able to access their favorite music via computer, mobile device or internet radio. You can access the internet streams here:

Listen Live web page -

http://www.witf.org/listen

Classical stream (RealPlayer, iTunes, Quicktime, Winamp) -

http://witf.ic.llnwd.net/stream/witf_witfmusic24_mp3.pls

witf Classical stream (Windows Media Player) -

http://www.witf.org/witfmusic24_wm.asx

The “all things regional” approach strengthens witf’s coverage of the arts and culture in the region by devoting two of witf’s most experienced producers to a new arts and culture desk. Cary Burkett and Joe Ulrich (hosts of Classical Air) will produce profiles, interviews and segments about personalities, events and issues in the world of music, visual arts, theatre, museums and literature.