IRSC Acquires Radio Stations, Forms IRSC Public Media
IRSC Acquires Radio Stations, Forms IRSC Public Media
September 27, 2021 Suzanne Seldes
FORT PIERCE, FL—Indian River State College has taken ownership of 91.1 FM and 88.5 FM from Black Media Works. The stations combine with the College’s flagship public radio station, WQCS 88.9 FM, to provide expanded offerings of news, information, and music to all of Florida’s Treasure Coast, as well as the Okeechobee region. With the acquisition, the College has organized all of its media properties under IRSC Public Media, a new moniker for the network of stations.
“For almost forty years, through WQCS, the College has provided public radio programming that informs, entertains and enlightens,” shares Christopher Puorro, WQCS Station Manager. “Our mission has been possible thanks to decades of support from our listeners and community. We have always wanted to give something back to every donor and supporter. This is our opportunity.”
Format changes to the stations will provide listeners and supporters more options. WQCS 88.9 FM provides NPR News, talk and information 24 hours a day. Many offerings like Here and Now, 1A and BBC World, which have previously been available only on WQCS HD2, can now be heard WQCS.
WQCP 91.1 FM is the permanent home of classical music, The Metropolitan Opera, Jazz on The Treasure Coast with Rodney Spencer, American Songbook with Dick Golden, and many other musical programs formerly heard on WQCS. The WQCP FM signal is nearly identical to WQCS, so all Treasure Coast listeners should also be able to hear 91.1 FM.
WQJS 88.5 FM becomes the first NPR affiliate to service the Lake Okeechobee region. Listeners can enjoy jazz music, BBC News in the morning and local and NPR updates. Jazz fans on the Treasure Coast can hear this station on 88.9 FM WQCS–HD2.
The Federal Communications Commission approved the assignment of the frequencies from Black Media Works on August 13, 2021. The College began programming the stations in mid-September through an agreement with the owners. The new formats will debut in the coming weeks. Black Media Works retains the rights to the original station formats.
IRSC Public Media is planning a celebration for its donors, underwriters, volunteers and employees later this year. Learn more at wqcs.org.
