Lakeshore Public Radio is expanding its broadcast reach.
The Merrillville-based station is planning some upgrades, which representatives say will “increase its population coverage by 75%.” The upgrade that will increase the station’s operational capacity from 1,100 watts to 4,900 watts was approved by the FCC in November.
The NPR-affiliated radio station now reaches listeners across Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton and Jasper counties in Northwest Indiana with its over-the-air broadcast. The station is also accessible online at LakeshorePublicRadio.org as well as through streaming apps including Spotify, TuneIn Radio and iTunes.
“The upgrades will not only extend the range of our signal, but also allow us to broadcast with far fewer shadows and dead spots,” said James Muhammad, Lakeshore Public Media president and CEO. “This means more residents will have access to reliable news and information, which further serves our mission to enhance our community by creating a more informed and engaged citizenry.”
Lakeshore Public Radio has been on air for 13 years. Tom Maloney, vice president of radio operations, said the signal expansion was crucial to ensure a sustainable future for the station.
“We’ve seen a drastic increase in the number of donors in communities like Valparaiso, Munster and Crown Point, but also in some of the more rural communities throughout Northwest Indiana,” Maloney said. “This confirms that there’s a growing need for the type of quality programs we broadcast from all corners of the Region, so we’re evolving to ensure we can better serve these areas and beyond.”
Lakeshore Public Media operates Lakeshore PBS and Lakeshore Public Radio.
