New Jersey Public Radio
Encyclopedia
New Jersey Public Radio is an NPR
member network
serving portions of northern New Jersey
. It is owned by New York Public Radio
(NYPR), which also owns WNYC
and WQXR-FM
in New York City
. The network comprises the four northernmost radio stations of the former New Jersey Network
(NJN). The network went on the air on July 1, 2011, after NJN ended operations the day before.
for permission to explore the possibility of spinning-off into an non-profit entity, independent from state funding. However, on June 6, 2011, New Jersey governor
Chris Christie, who vowed to end state-funded public broadcasting upon taking office in 2010, announced the sale of the radio network. The northern part of the network was sold to New York Public Radio, which used the stations to start a new New Jersey-focused public radio station. A formal agreement was signed on June 29. The sale is subject to Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) approval; however, NYPR assumed control of the stations under a management agreement on July 1.
, and American Public Media
, as well as a simulcast of WBGO
's jazz programming in the overnight hours. The station plans to eventually introduce a new programming schedule that includes increased New Jersey-focused programming.
greater than 4,000 watts.
New Jersey Public Radio is also heard on a translator, W285EE (104.9 FM) in Clinton
, which repeats WNJP.
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
member network
Radio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
serving portions of northern New Jersey
North Jersey
North Jersey is a colloquial term, with no precise consensus definition, for the northern portion of the U.S. state of New Jersey. A straightforward, noncolloquial term for the region is northern New Jersey.- Two-portion approaches :...
. It is owned by New York Public Radio
WNYC
WNYC is a set of call letters shared by a pair of co-owned, non-profit, public radio stations located in New York City.WNYC broadcasts on the AM band at 820 kHz, and WNYC-FM is at 93.9 MHz. Both stations are members of National Public Radio and carry distinct, but similar news/talk programs...
(NYPR), which also owns WNYC
WNYC
WNYC is a set of call letters shared by a pair of co-owned, non-profit, public radio stations located in New York City.WNYC broadcasts on the AM band at 820 kHz, and WNYC-FM is at 93.9 MHz. Both stations are members of National Public Radio and carry distinct, but similar news/talk programs...
and WQXR-FM
WQXR-FM
WQXR-FM is an American classical radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey, and serving the New York City metropolitan area. It is the most-listened-to classical-music station in the United States, with an average quarter-hour audience of 63,000...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The network comprises the four northernmost radio stations of the former New Jersey Network
New Jersey Network
The New Jersey Network, or NJN, was a network of public television and radio stations serving the U.S. state of New Jersey. NJN was a member of the Public Broadcasting Service for television and the National Public Radio for radio, broadcasting their programming as well as producing and...
(NJN). The network went on the air on July 1, 2011, after NJN ended operations the day before.
Overview
The seeds which led to the formation of New Jersey Public Radio were planted in 2008, when NJN officials asked the New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
for permission to explore the possibility of spinning-off into an non-profit entity, independent from state funding. However, on June 6, 2011, New Jersey governor
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
Chris Christie, who vowed to end state-funded public broadcasting upon taking office in 2010, announced the sale of the radio network. The northern part of the network was sold to New York Public Radio, which used the stations to start a new New Jersey-focused public radio station. A formal agreement was signed on June 29. The sale is subject to Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) approval; however, NYPR assumed control of the stations under a management agreement on July 1.
Programming
New Jersey Public Radio's programming is largely identical to the programming that had been offered by NJN; this consists primarily of national programming from NPR, Public Radio InternationalPublic Radio International
Public Radio International is a Minneapolis-based American public radio organization, with locations in Boston, New York, London and Beijing. PRI's tagline is "Hear a different voice." PRI is a major public media content creator and also distributes programs from many sources...
, and American Public Media
American Public Media
American Public Media is the second largest producer of public radio programs in the United States of America after NPR. Its non-profit parent, American Public Media Group, also owns and operates radio stations in Minnesota, California, and Florida. Its station brands are Minnesota Public Radio,...
, as well as a simulcast of WBGO
WBGO
WBGO is a public radio station broadcasting from Newark, New Jersey. The station primarily plays jazz music. In addition the station airs public affairs programming, locally-produced newscasts, traffic reports from Metro Traffic during morning and afternoon rush hours, and NPR-produced newscasts...
's jazz programming in the overnight hours. The station plans to eventually introduce a new programming schedule that includes increased New Jersey-focused programming.
Stations
Due to the crowded state of the noncommercial end of the FM dial in the northeastern United States, the four New Jersey Public Radio stations all operate at relatively low power. None has an ERPEffective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
greater than 4,000 watts.
| City | Call letters | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Netcong Netcong, New Jersey Netcong is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 2,580. Its estimated population in 2006 was 3,292... |
WNJY WNJY WNJY is a radio station licensed to Netcong, New Jersey. The station is owned by New York Public Radio , and is an affiliate of their New Jersey Public Radio network.... |
89.3 |
| Sussex Sussex, New Jersey Sussex is a borough in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 2,130.Sussex was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 14, 1891, as Deckertown, from portions of Wantage... |
WNJP WNJP WNJP is a radio station licensed to Sussex, New Jersey. The station is owned by New York Public Radio , and is an affiliate of their New Jersey Public Radio network.... |
88.5 |
| Trenton, New Jersey Trenton, New Jersey Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913... |
WNJT-FM WNJT-FM WNJT-FM is a radio station licensed to Trenton, New Jersey. The station is owned by New York Public Radio , and is an affiliate of their New Jersey Public Radio network.... |
88.1 |
| Toms River Toms River, New Jersey Toms River is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Toms River Township and is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger Toms River Township... |
WNJO WNJO (FM) WNJO is a radio station licensed to Toms River, New Jersey. The station is owned by New York Public Radio , and is an affiliate of their New Jersey Public Radio network.... |
90.3 |
New Jersey Public Radio is also heard on a translator, W285EE (104.9 FM) in Clinton
Clinton, New Jersey
Clinton is a Town in Hunterdon County, New Jersey on the South Branch of the Raritan River. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 2,719....
, which repeats WNJP.