Ocean State Media today announced its agreement to acquire a new radio frequency and transmitter. The acquisition will allow Ocean State Media to broadcast radio programming across Rhode Island and the surrounding region from a single signal – 103.7 FM.
The transaction is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission.
“With this move, listeners will no longer need to change channels to continue hearing Ocean State Media as they travel throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts,” said Pam Johnston, President and CEO of Ocean State Media. “Once approved, audiences can tune to a single frequency for a clear, high-quality broadcast, advancing our commitment to delivering distinctly local news and information more effectively and efficiently across the region.”
Historically, Ocean State Media has relied on a network of five frequencies to serve Rhode Island and parts of southeastern Massachusetts. As a result, listeners need to change the dial while traveling through the area – moving among 89.3 FM, 89.5 FM, 90.7 FM, 102.7 FM, 1290 AM.
The proposed transition from five frequencies to one, including transmission equipment, represents a $4.9 million investment, which will be financed over a period of time. The change will improve broadcast quality while also allowing for long-term operational efficiencies.
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Below is the transcript from Pam Johnston’s interview with Ocean State Media reporter Ian Donnis.
Ian Donnis: This is Ocean State Media, I’m Ian Donnis. If you’re listening to us right now on the radio, you might be listening on 89.3 fm. You might be listening on 102.7. We have five radio frequencies in all, but that’s about to change because today. Ocean State Media announced we’re starting the process of buying a new radio transmitter, and that means in the future you’ll hear us on a new frequency.
The good news, it’s one station and it will reach our entire coverage area from Westerly to New Bedford and beyond. Here to explain it all is Pam Johnston. Ocean State Media’s president and CEO Pam. Thanks for speaking with me.
Pam Johnston: Thanks for having me.
Ian Donnis: So, Pam, the plan is to move our signal to 103.7. That means we’ll leave 89.3 and the other frequencies we’re on. What’s the benefit of making this move?
Pam Johnston: It’s a big benefit for our audience and for our listeners and for our community. We will just be more accessible to more people. All across our state and beyond.
Ian Donnis: How so?
Pam Johnston: One signal reaching much farther than our current series of five different signals, a greater experience where you don’t have to change the channel as you move your way through Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
And just a great, strong signal where people can find us, put us on, and not have to change that channel.
Ian Donnis: Talk to us about the timeline here. When will this happen and when will our audience notice a difference?
Pam Johnston: So we started the process today, and this is a process and it could take up to 90 days, so more to come as it unfolds.
Ian Donnis: And what does this mean for the thing people are really here for our content? Are we still doing local news and information? Are we still broadcasting NPR and the other programs people rely on us for? And how does this affect our broadcasting of PBS on tv?
Pam Johnston: Well, this will just mean that. More people will be able to hear more of our great local journalism, and that’s a great experience all around.
Ian Donnis: This isn’t cheap, it’s gonna cost us $4.9 million. What does that buy us? And where is the money coming from?
Pam Johnston: From an operational and financial standpoint, we are going to be financing the cost of this frequency, which will allow us to eventually sell all the frequencies that we currently have. And so over time we believe that this transaction actually is going to pay for itself.
It really makes great sense.
Ian Donnis: I’ve gotta ask you, it’s no secret that the Trump administration has been rather hostile toward public media. Is there any chance that that would gum up this process?
Pam Johnston: So we can’t guarantee any outcome, but we are confident that this process will go through.
Ian Donnis: It’s a digital world these days. Why does it make sense to make this investment in radio now?
Pam Johnston: Well, we have a lot of listeners, and folks love the radio. They love to stream. They love digital certainly, but we do serve a large and engaged and important community on the radio.
And we have heard from our listeners again and again that it’s been a real pain point to be driving across our state and having to change the channel. This is going to be a great added experience for them. We think that it’s a big improvement.
Ian Donnis: What else should people know about Ocean State Media and this change for our radio signal?
Pam Johnston: This is an investment in our community. This is an investment in our local journalism. This is an investment in being a locally owned and operated media company right now here to serve you on the radio, on television, on digital, on our website. We are here for you. We are serving you, and we are investing in you in this product.
Ian Donnis: I’ve been speaking with Pam Johnston, president and CEO of Ocean State Media. Pam, thanks for taking the time.
Pam Johnston: Thank you.
Ian Donnis: For Ocean State Media, I’m Ian Donnis.
