WYSU-FM prepares for changeover

Classical music will still be offered on the station’s
high-definition channel.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University’s radio station is gradually moving to an all-news format on its primary channel at 88.5 FM.

But that doesn’t mean it will be abandoning its classical music programming, said Gary Sexton, station director.

The musical format will still be available on WYSU’s new secondary, high-definition digital channel and other platforms, he said.

In any event, the changeover on the primary channel won’t fully take effect until at least 2011, he said.

“It’s been something that has actually been happening since 2000-2001,” Sexton said, pointing out that the station’s growth area has been in news and information.

WYSU has recently gone through an extensive, strategic study, looking at how people use their radio.

The pace of the changeover to an all-news format on the primary channel will be determined by continued audience research, solving facilities issues, financing and the community environment, according to the study.

“We’re preparing for the future,” Sexton said.

The goal is for WYSU to be the most trusted source for news and information public radio programming in the region served by YSU.

Seeks to increase audience

The station has a goal of increasing its current estimated audience of 40,000 by 25 percent by 2011 while increasing contributing membership by 25 percent and underwriting income by 33 percent over that same period.

The station’s signal reaches as far as the Pittsburgh and Cleveland areas.

The strategic plan also calls for the radio station to relocate to more accessible visible space by 2010. The station studios are currently in Cushwa Hall.

Other proposals in the plan include:

UReconfiguring the station’s transmission facilities to ensure long-term control over tower location and space cost by June 2009.

UCreation of a marketing program aimed at introducing a new brand and public service profile to the region by 2010.

UFollow through on the development of a daily, high-quality, locally hosted community dialogue/public affairs program.

gwin@vindy.com