WBNI

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WBNI's broadcast studio during a pledge drive; longtime program host Robert E. Nylund in background

WBNI is a Fort Wayne, Indiana National Public Radio station owned and operated by Northeast Indiana Public Radio. The station currently transmits on 91.3 mHz from Orland, Indiana with a 10-watt translator (transmitting on 88.7 mHz) from a tower in Fort Wayne's Centennial Park, next to the Northeast Indiana Public Radio broadcasting facility.^[1]

1 History
2 WBNI Today
3 Footnotes
4 External Links

[edit] History

WBNI began broadcasting in 1978 as WIPU-FM at 89.1 mHz on the campus on Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW) with a very limited schedule using university staff and students. When the university decided it could no longer afford to maintain the station, it was taken over by a non-profit organization that became known as Northeast Indiana Public Radio.

Renamed WBNI, the station moved to studios in the historic YWCA facility on North Wells Street. The schedule was gradually expanded and effective radiated power was also increased. Programming was mostly classical music, jazz, and folk music with some news and information programs from National Public Radio, including "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered." The station began airing occasional tapes of local concerts, including the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 1993, WBNI's present 600-foot transmitter tower was erected in Centennial Park and effective radiated power was raised from 31,000 watts to 50,000 watts, greatly expanding the coverage area in northeast Indiana, southern Michigan, and northwest Ohio. A new broadcasting facility was dedicated in the spring of 1994. Programming remained much the same until early 2002, when a sister station, WBOI, began broadcasting from the same building and using the same tower.^[2]

When WBOI began broadcasting, WBNI gradually increased its classical music programming, while WBOI took over the jazz and folk music programs. WBNI also gave up its news and information programs, which were taken over by WBOI. WBNI and WBOI switched frequencies, too, with WBOI taking over the 89.1 mHz frequency in Fort Wayne.^[3]

In February 2007, Northeast Indiana Public Radio management announced plans to acquire the transmitter of WCKZ, a rock music station operating at 94.1 mHz with an effective radiated power of 9,000 watts. NIPR will take over the frequency and power of WCKZ in the next few months, providing the Fort Wayne metropolitan area with a stronger signal for the classical music programming currently carried on WBNI. The transmitter, located in southwestern Allen County, will cover most of Allen County and all or portions of Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, Miami, Wabash, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Grant, Blackford, and Jay counties in Indiana.^[4]

[edit] WBNI Today

Much of WBNI's programming today originates with National Public Radio or other public radio outlets, utilizing computerized automation. It continues to broadcast the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera. There are still a few locally-produced classical programs such as the morning "Con Brio" program and the afternoon "Matinee" program. There is also a long-running "Symphonic Sessions" program, usually hosted by Glenn Bogle, on Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. Other locally-produced classical programs include "Guitar Showcase" and "Best Seat in the House." The station now offers classical music 24 hours a day and is available on the World Wide Web at www.nipr.fm.

Throughout its history WBNI has utilized mostly volunteers to host its local programming. Like other National Public Radio stations, WBNI is supported by contributions from listeners and local businesses and corporations. There are also spring and fall on-air pledge drives, usually lasting a little over a week.

WBNI has long been known for its special holiday programming in December and January, including celebrations of the "12 days of Christmas" and Hannukah.

Although WBNI no longer has regular news broadcasts, it does give regular weather forecasts and bulletins from the National Weather Service.

WBNI's current general manager is Bruce Haines. Colleen Condron is program director and news director. Janice Furtner is the music director and host of the weekday "Matinee" broadcasts, as well as the host of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic broadcasts.^[5]