95.3 FM back on the air with Oldies format, ABC News
Sep 30, 2019 11:24AM ● By Editor
Exclusive to Boreal Community Media - September 30, 2019
After being off the air more than on in the past year due to persistent transmitter problems, WVVE 95.33 FM is back on the air with a new Oldies format being sent to the transmitter from a radio station in Ironwood, Michigan.
Boreal Community Media caught up with Jesse Baroka, owner of WUPM/WHRY radio.
He described how the new format and station came into being. "WVVE was originally set up to re-broadcast a Duluth station by then owners Red Rock Communications. When that station group was sold, Matthew Butler of Aurora Broadcasting of Ely picked up the license," said Baroka, "We recently entered into a "local market agreement" where we provide the programming and compensate them for the use of the transmitter. The new station went on the air about two weeks ago."
Baroka bought the Ironwood stations about four years ago and shares ownership with his mother and father. It truly is a family affair in a world of media conglomerates. Jesse's uncle Frank broadcasts a Polka music show on Sundays at 1pm from his home in Park Falls, Wisconsin.
The 95.3 FM format features rock oldies and classic hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, with an occasion gem from the early rock era in the 50s thrown in. It also features news from ABC News on the hour and Weather Eye forecasts. Everything is programed locally and it is not a syndicated station although it features some syndicated programs
"We are working to fine tune split imaging so the Grand Marais - North Shore station develops its own identity. For example, when the Weather Eye forecasts are broadcast, people on the North Shore will hear North Shore weather while people on the South Shore will hear their local forecasts," said Baroka, "Eventually when we broadcast Hurley high schools games for example, North Shore listeners will still be able to hear our music broadcasts. We hope to have that working soon."
The transmitter for 95.3 FM sits atop Lutsen Mountains in Lutsen. The arrival of high speed service from True North Communications has made the new broadcasting possible. "Our broadcasts are sent via the internet to the transmitter in Lutsen," said Baroka, "I can sit here in Ironwood and monitor and control the transmitter signal from my computer in our offices."
Other programs on the station include The Mike Harvey Weekend Party Show on Saturday nights, Goddard's Gold with 60s and 70s hits on the weekend and a daily 60 second healthcare report from Mayo Clinic Medical Edge Radio.
For more information on the stations and to see their programming schedule, follow this website link. https://www.whry1029.com/schedule
After being off the air more than on in the past year due to persistent transmitter problems, WVVE 95.33 FM is back on the air with a new Oldies format being sent to the transmitter from a radio station in Ironwood, Michigan.
Boreal Community Media caught up with Jesse Baroka, owner of WUPM/WHRY radio.
He described how the new format and station came into being. "WVVE was originally set up to re-broadcast a Duluth station by then owners Red Rock Communications. When that station group was sold, Matthew Butler of Aurora Broadcasting of Ely picked up the license," said Baroka, "We recently entered into a "local market agreement" where we provide the programming and compensate them for the use of the transmitter. The new station went on the air about two weeks ago."
Baroka bought the Ironwood stations about four years ago and shares ownership with his mother and father. It truly is a family affair in a world of media conglomerates. Jesse's uncle Frank broadcasts a Polka music show on Sundays at 1pm from his home in Park Falls, Wisconsin.
The 95.3 FM format features rock oldies and classic hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, with an occasion gem from the early rock era in the 50s thrown in. It also features news from ABC News on the hour and Weather Eye forecasts. Everything is programed locally and it is not a syndicated station although it features some syndicated programs
"We are working to fine tune split imaging so the Grand Marais - North Shore station develops its own identity. For example, when the Weather Eye forecasts are broadcast, people on the North Shore will hear North Shore weather while people on the South Shore will hear their local forecasts," said Baroka, "Eventually when we broadcast Hurley high schools games for example, North Shore listeners will still be able to hear our music broadcasts. We hope to have that working soon."
The transmitter for 95.3 FM sits atop Lutsen Mountains in Lutsen. The arrival of high speed service from True North Communications has made the new broadcasting possible. "Our broadcasts are sent via the internet to the transmitter in Lutsen," said Baroka, "I can sit here in Ironwood and monitor and control the transmitter signal from my computer in our offices."
Other programs on the station include The Mike Harvey Weekend Party Show on Saturday nights, Goddard's Gold with 60s and 70s hits on the weekend and a daily 60 second healthcare report from Mayo Clinic Medical Edge Radio.
For more information on the stations and to see their programming schedule, follow this website link. https://www.whry1029.com/schedule
