Sacramento, CA - October 1, 2020: Capital Public Radio (CapRadio) today announced that it began managing the operations of North State Public Radio (NSPR) in accordance with the Public Service Operating Agreement (PSOA) with the licensor, California State University, Chico. The partnership officially commences after an 18-month effort to work out agreement details and create an implementation plan with NSPR, California State University, Chico and other stakeholders.
The partnership with CapRadio is the result of an effort to preserve and expand essential public services provided to the communities in the North State region that NSPR covers. By working with CapRadio, NSPR will gain operational efficiencies and financial security to help improve local, regional and state news coverage, as well as grow listenership, membership and community engagement for the station.
“At a time when newsrooms across the country are shedding staff and reducing essential services for their listeners, our partnership with NSPR will position the station for stability and growth,” said CapRadio General Manager Jun Reina. “We will leverage our expertise and resources to support and improve the services NSPR provides to its communities by adding staff to the station while identifying cost-saving opportunities and taking on some of its core operational duties. Ultimately, this partnership will result in a stronger public radio presence in Northern California and a richer experience for listeners and members.”
CapRadio will manage membership, marketing, development, corporate support, HR, programming and technology for NSPR, streamlining operations for the station and allowing California State University, Chico to focus on high-level licensee oversight. With less time devoted to day-to-day station management, this arrangement allows NSPR to focus more on serving its audience and engaging its members. Member donations to NSPR will remain local and will serve the mission of the station.
“Through an extended evaluation period that included community input, it became clear that this partnership offered tremendous value to NSPR and would secure a healthy and promising future for the station,” said NSPR General Manager Phil Wilke. “By partnering with CapRadio, we’ll gain substantial resources that will allow us to serve our communities in a more robust way. We look forward to being in a position to maintain and expand our essential news and cultural programming.”
The partnership process included a feasibility study, a community town hall with NSPR listeners and a public comment period for North State residents. The collaborative agreement was formally approved through a unanimous vote of approval by Chico State Enterprises’ (CSE) Board of Directors on August 27, 2020.
“Chico State is excited about the partnership with CapRadio,” said CSU, Chico’s Director of University Public Engagement Stephen Cummins. “First and foremost, it will strengthen local journalism; and, secondly, the management agreement will ensure that the service on which our North State listeners depend will be sustained and thrive in the future.”
About CapRadio
CapRadio serves California’s Capital region, Central Valley and Sierra Nevada as the public-supported alternative to for-profit media. As the NPR-member station based in Sacramento, CapRadio connects with communities through seven broadcast stations, live streaming, podcasts, digital communities, live experiences and more. Known for its award-winning newsroom, CapRadio is recognized as a leader in community-engaged journalism and state government reporting, and CapRadio Music is the exclusive broadcast source of classical and jazz in the region. With more than 500,000 weekly listeners on-air and online, CapRadio provides a trusted and indispensable source of information, music and events.
About NSPR
NSPR began broadcasting from CSU, Chico in 1969 from a room behind Laxson Auditorium with a signal that extended to the Chico city limits. Over the years, it acquired KFPR in Redding and, through broadcast translators, gradually expanded its signal to serve valley and mountain communities across the North State. The station eventually moved to its current home at 35 Main Street, where it will continue to operate and broadcast from under CapRadio management.
NSPR can be heard across Northern California on the following frequencies: KCHO 91.7 FM Chico, KFPR 88.9 FM Redding, 91.9 FM Burney, 89.7 FM Chester, 92.3 FM Dunsmuir and Mount Shasta, 100.9 FM Greenville, 99.7 FM Hayfork, 92.3 FM Oroville, 89.5 FM Weaverville and 98.3 FM Westwood. Listen to NSPR online at mynspr.org.
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CONTACT:
Chris Bruno
[email protected]
