WISE-FM to Form Alliance with WVTF-FM

The University of Virginia's College at Wise today announced plans for WISE-FM, its public radio station, to form an alliance with WVTF-FM in Roanoke, the public radio station operated by Virginia Tech.

The agreement, which takes effect on Monday, Sept. 8, calls for WVTF to provide full-time programming for WISE-FM and its translators throughout Southwest Virginia. WISE-FM operates translators at 90.1 in Big Stone Gap and Washington and Russell counties, 90.3 in Clintwood, 90.9 in St. Paul, 91.3 in Pound and Jenkins, Ky., and 91.7 in Norton.

ÒFrom its inception, WISE-FM has been supported by a subsidy from the College and by generous private gifts, funds from local governments, and underwriting by local businesses," said UVA-Wise Chancellor Steve Kaplan. ÒUnfortunately, current funding levels provide less than half of the funds needed to support the station's operation each year."

ÒThis agreement with WVTF will ensure that this valuable public service will continue," Kaplan said.

Since WISE-FM officially signed on the air on Sept. 3, 1999, the station has provided national public radio programming to far Southwest Virginia. Prior to the creation of WISE-FM, public radio service in the region was spotty at best. No public radio signals originating in Virginia were audible in the town of Wise or the surrounding localities.

The new agreement with WVTF is an extension of a long-standing association. From the beginning, WISE-FM partnered with WVTF to provide statewide news coverage. Despite the change in operation, much of the daily programming will remain the same. WISE-FM listeners will still hear popular national programs like Morning Edition, All Things Considered, A Prairie Home Companion, and Car Talk. In addition, they'll hear more of WVTF's award-winning Virginia news and a variety of other locally produced programs including Back to the Blue Ridge, an hour-long weekly program featuring traditional acoustic music of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Piedmont region.

The WISE-FM call sign will be announced hourly and local weather and emergency broadcasts will continue. WVTF will accept public service announcements from the region and many are also posted on the station's website, www.wvtf.org

"WVTF has a strong commitment to continuing this important public service," said Glenn Gleixner, WVTF's general manager. ÒWVTF has a mission to provide high quality programming to the region, and collaborating with WISE-FM will ensure that far Southwest Virginia will retain its access to the intelligent, diverse, and stimulating programming only public radio offers."

Now celebrating its 30th year in operation, WVTF provides public radio programming to Roanoke and other localities in Virginia including Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Staunton, Lynchburg, Marion, Wytheville, and Abingdon.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130 or WVTF at (540) 989-8900.