Buffalo Public Radio is Launching a Commercial Radio Station After $2.2 Million in Federal Budget Cuts

Buffalo Public Radio is Launching a Commercial Radio Station After $2.2 Million in Federal Budget Cuts

Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM), the nonprofit organization overseeing public radio and television services in Western New York and Southern Ontario, has announced plans to introduce a new commercial full-service talk station on the 94.5 FM frequency currently occupied by WNED-FM, according to Radio Insight. This development marks a significant shift in the group’s radio […] The post Buffalo Public Radio is Launching a Commercial Radio Stati…

BTPM Realignment Points To Commercial Shift In Western N.Y.

With the decision by Congressional Republicans, endorsed by President Trump, to “claw back” previously designated federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — now defunct — two big noncommercial educational FM stations with listeners across Southern Ontario and Western New York faced a pressing financial dilemma. Annual funding of $2.2 million through CPB evaporated. Listener donations from Canada and the U.S. alone couldn’t sus…

Buffalo Public Radio Signal To Go Commercial Due To Federal Cuts

"Replacing a $2.2 million structural funding loss indefinitely through donations alone would not be realistic or responsible," is the message from Buffalo Toronto Public Media, as the public radio organization converts one of its frequencies to an advertising-eligible license.