NPR News/Talk to Upgrade to Full-Power Quad Cities Signal

Posted on by Jon Ellis

WVIK/90.3 (Rock Island) has announced plans to switch to a full-time NPR News/Talk format, with Classical music moving to a smaller signal and an HD subchannel.

The announcement comes two years after WVIK launched a full-time News/Talk format on WVIK-HD2 that was later added on translator K289BI/105.7. WVIK’s main signal has continued to carry a traditional public radio mix of NPR news magazines and Classical music, simulcasting with the News/Talk service in morning and afternoon drive.

WVIK General Manager Jay Pearce told the Quad City Times that the switch will happen this summer, telling the paper that K289BI’s signal will be improved before the change has been made.

K289BI currently transmits with 220 Watts from the Black Hawk College campus in Moline, delivering a strong signal to Moline, Rock Island, and Bettendorf but only fringe coverage to most of Davenport. It has not yet filed an application with the FCC for a facility change.

The format adjustments will follow a national trend that has seen many legacy public radio stations move towards news-based formats over the last few decades, with Classical music moved to smaller signals.

In an explanation of the upcoming changes on its website, WVIK said the new Classical service will continue to offer locally-hosted programs and local performances.

“In fact, we hope to become an even stronger advocate for the arts when we launch a 24/7 Classical Music station, not just playing locally hosted music, but sharing news about the entire arts community,” the station wrote.

WVIK is owned by Augustana College. It says the college stopped covering the station’s deficits several years ago and its overall reserve trends are down, which was a factor in the decision.

The station says it has no plans to downsize and currently has two open positions, for development and community engagement.

The Quad Cities are also served by several Iowa Public Radio signals that offer News/Talk programming during the day and Adult Alternative music at night. IPR’s 24-hour Classical service can be heard in the Quad Cities from KSUI/91.7 (Iowa City).

WVIK is also relayed on K240DZ/95.9 (Dubuque); IPR’s two FM services also have stations in Dubuque.