WBAA part of statewide survey to determine listener needs
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University's public radio station and a consortium of Indiana public broadcasting stations are working to identify the needs of their listeners in an age of emerging technologies and audience fragmentation.Dan Skinner, general manager of WBAA AM-FM, described the study as a "pivotal opportunity" for public broadcasting in Indiana.
"WBAA is looking forward to working with all 15 other Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations members to create new and significant services for the residents of Indiana,” he said.
IPBS received a $250,000 Lilly Endowment grant to hire media consulting firm BMR Associates Inc. The firm is responsible for identifying Indiana public broadcasting's strengths, weaknesses, emerging threats and possibilities for partnership.
Skinner, IPBS's vice chair, said the advent of satellite radio, iPods, TiVo, video on demand, HDTV and digital radio have rapidly changed the daily listening and viewing habits of millions of Americans.
"IPBS stations need to tap into these emerging technologies and use them to build stronger Indiana communities, strengthen Hoosier families and complement more effectively the programs of Indiana’s educational institutions," he said. "Public broadcasters engage and enrich the lives of millions of Indiana residents. We must know how best to reach out to our constituents.”
WBAA-AM, licensed in 1922, is Indiana's longest continuously operating radio station. 920-AM provides almost 2.5 million Hoosiers with a diverse program of news, information, public affairs, jazz, folk and other eclectic music. The WBAA-FM signal, 90.7 FM, provides Tippecanoe and surrounding counties a mix of classical music and fine arts programming
Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
Source: Dan Skinner, (765) 494-3960, deskinner@wbaa.org
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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