Radio station WMVY, the popular independent local station that has been on the air on the Vineyard for nearly three decades, will sell its broadcast signal 92.7 FM to WBUR, the well-known National Public Radio station in Boston.
WBUR announced the purchase on its website and in a press release early Tuesday morning. The sale is still subject to Federal Communications Commission approval and is expected to be completed in early 2013, the release said. Terms of the sale have not been disclosed. But WBUR hopes to use the signal to expand its presence on the Cape and Islands and south coast area. “We believe that the Islands, Cape Cod and south coast are important parts of the community we cover and serve,” said WBUR general manager Charlie Kravetz in the release. “WBUR has long wanted to meet demand from listeners in this region.”
WMVY plans to change over to a nonprofit, online enterprise if it can raise enough money. A pledge drive to raise $600,000 by the end of January was announced on the MVY website this morning. "This is real. We must evolve. Or face extinction," the announcement said.
WMVY’s owner Joe Gallagher, who is president of Aritaur Communications, will transfer programming and all other assets to the station’s nonprofit arm Friends of mvyradio. “The goal is to continue broadcasting mvyradio’s unique music programming through its online, live streaming . . . and look for a more affordable solution to return to the FM airwaves,” Mr. Gallagher said in the press release. “The mission of Friends of mvyradio in the next 60 days will be to raise enough pledges from listeners and fans of the nearly 30-year-old independent radio station to sustain mvyradio’s programming and staff and find a solution to continue its broadcasting operations.”
WMVY was a pioneer in online streaming and enjoys a worldwide audience.
“We hope our devoted listeners, and the residents and businesses of Martha’s Vineyard will respond and help us continue the ground-breaking digital streaming programming which has become mvyradio’s mainstay while we search for an affordable FM home,” Mr. Gallagher said in the release. “Our ambitious goal is for mvyradio to evolve into a fully listener-supported streaming music channel and broadcast our programming on a new FM commercial-free signal. It’s an ideal scenario which will require significant fund-raising, but we’re committed to making it happen.”
WMVY first began broadcasting 29 years ago and is known for its friendly on-air presence and eclectic community programming. Weekly music shows have ranged from Peter Simon’s Private Collection to regular spots focusing on the Grateful Dead, Beatles, blues, Sunday morning jazz and world music. Barbara Dacey, the longtime deejay and director of music and programming who got her start at the station doing ad voice work more than 25 years ago, has interviewed dozens of musical artists on the air through the years from Judy Collins to Carly Simon to John Mayer. “We had to be a Vineyard and a community radio station. How could we be here and not do it? It’s a responsibility we’ve felt from the beginning,” Ms. Dacey said in a 2008 Gazette interview on the station’s 25th anniversary.
The station went on the air on May 1, 1981, broadcasting from 92.7 FM and taking over the tower and small station behind Carroll’s Trucking in Vineyard Haven that had previously been used in the 1970s for WVOI, the Island’s first radio station that was financially unsuccessful and later folded.
“It was just a leap of faith, I think. Everything was reels then; everything had to be cued by hand,” recalled Ms. Dacey, who joined the station two years after it started. The station upgraded to digital equipment in 1999. The station began streaming live in 1997, a year before Mr. Gallagher bought the station. In the days when internet radio was a relatively new idea, the station quickly gained followers all over the world, boasting 100,000 online listeners in addition to the 30,000 regular on-air listeners.
The station has changed hands twice since its inception. In 1990 Broadcast Properties Inc. of Minnesota, whose principals were Charles Burns, Jim Binger and Phil Kelly, bought the station from founding owners Robert and Linda Forrester for $2.5 million. In 1998 Mr. Gallagher and his Aritaur Communications bought WMVY from Broadcast Properties for $1 million following the death of Mr. Kelly, who had been the operating partner in the business and the only owner with radio experience.
The station has been active in a wide array community affairs and fundraisers through the years, and among other things sponsors the annual Big Chili Contest in late January, a benefit for the Red Stocking Fund.
Founded in 1950 at Boston University as a student-run station, WBUR became a National Public Radio member station in the 1970s. Its NPR programs include On Point, Here and Now and Only A Game. The station also produces hourly local newscasts, a daily news magazine program, Radio Boston, and carries other NPR news programs.
The station today is all news and talk shows although at one time it included music in its programming. It has a fierce rivalry with NPR station WGBH in Boston.
Comments
Speachless-- what a shame
Ed Johnson BostonSpeachless-- what a shame
Sure MVYers on and off island
Stan Wasserman Off Island - quincySure MVYers on and off island will come out of the woodwork to keep the station afloat. Not surprised that there are more online than on island/cape/Newport FM listeners. Ir-regardless MVY needs to maintain presence with both venues.
People's Republic of MVY UNITE!
This is just sad for me to
Jamie Gregorian Washington, DCThis is just sad for me to learn. I love WMVY, and it is such a part of the Vineyard experience for me.
It's a sad day for Vineyarder
Maribeth Priore Vineyard Haven, MAIt's a sad day for Vineyarder's and all who love WMVY. I had the pleasure of working at the station from 1994 to 1998 when it was truly a "grassroots" operation. Some of my most treasured memories of living on the Vineyard took place in that little house at the end of Carroll's Way. I applaud Barbara Dacey in particular who has always put her heart and soul into MVY.
Don't get me wrong I love
Joanie Kelly Boston, MADon't get me wrong I love listening online... But there is nothing like driving and getting the WMVY signal on the radio before the bridge... it is the official welcome mat to the vineyard!
Yes, I agree. Every summer
Elaine PennsylvaniaYes, I agree. Every summer when we come to the Vineyard, the first thing we do is get WMVY on the car radio as soon as we can get good reception of the music!!
As a one time voice of WVY I
Peter Simon ChilmarkAs a one time voice of WVY I will miss it's presence. But this move away from broadcast to Internet programming has been prominent for years for old time rock stations (I.e WBCN and WNEW). Many if us now have apps and Bluetooth, so we can just tune in from the car anywhere in the world! The times, they are a'changin'. Lets hope the $$ is raised. I suggest a series of concerts by artists who are heard regularly over MVY. If there's a will, there usually is a way!
Would it be presumptuous to
Stephen Graham EdgartownWould it be presumptuous to ask what WBUR is paying for the signal and how much of the excess over $1,000,000 Mr. Gallagher is contributing to the pledge drive?
No it would not and before I
Jim Joyce EdgartownNo it would not and before I give any money i would also like to follow the money here. The books should be open for all to see. I have given in the past and would again in the future. The island was blind sided with this news and many people knew this was coming. You do not go to work one day and just find out your business is sold, or is that how it happened? No one at the station saw this coming, I find that hard to understand. If they didn't see this I am not sure the ones left are ready to run a business.
Not only do I listen
Deborah Mayhew West Tisbury, MANot only do I listen regularly in the car . . . I set my alarm every morning to hear Laurel et al deliver the local news and weather . . . I will miss the FM station, nothing like a truely local radio station! :-( If we ALL gave a very small amount perhaps they could indeed find another affordable FM station to broadcast from . . .
This makes me very sad - and
Roanne Neuwirth Arlington and West Barnstable,MAThis makes me very sad - and I agree there is nothing like picking up WMVY before the bridge. Everyone get out their checkbooks - and help this great station make the transition and live on.
I am so sad about the loss of
Beth Gelfond New York CityI am so sad about the loss of WMVY -- my favorite radio station, which I listen to on the Vineyard and through iTunes at home!
That sucks! NPR is turning
Richard Clifford Milton, Mass.That sucks! NPR is turning the New England radio scene into Sunnybrook Farms!
I know online radio has been
Rock Bergeron Portland, OregonI know online radio has been a viable option for struggling stations and certainly 'MVY has been on the leading edge as a streaming presence, but it's still sad to hear of the loss of a great terrestrial signal. Some of my happiest years as a deejay were on the Island and I send my love and good wishes to the WMVY staff and listeners.
I have been a listener for 25
John Callahan East Falmouth,MaI have been a listener for 25 years, It is the only station I listen to and I also wake up to Laurel in the morning.All of the DJs are great. We cannot loose this station. This station is Cape Cod at its best!!
I am sure I speak for my
Audra Lexington, MAI am sure I speak for my whole family who started coming to MV in 1978 and havent missed a summer....this is sad news. WMVY lovers unite and do what it takes to save this very cool radio station. We turn it on the moment we get close to the bridge. More local and less big city for Martha's Vineyard.
Yes it is sad, but instead of
T-Bone CTYes it is sad, but instead of lamenting why dont we just help fund them?
There is a new non-profit,
Dennis JacksonThere is a new non-profit, non-commercial FM station coming to the Vineyard. "Vineyard Public Radio" will operate at 88.7 on the FM dial. Programming has yet to be been fully planned, so practical ideas are welcome.
Stay local, local news,
Ken S Edgartown/SE FloridaStay local, local news, sports, interviews, traffic/ferry info, etc. The problem with music programming is that at most times you're going to have a majority of your potential audience that just doesn't like the song.
Couple the station with a nice website.
I listen daily at work both
Bob Winkelman Park City, UT & East ChopI listen daily at work both on and off island. I want to invest in preservation.
Love this station, love the
Terry Riley BostonLove this station, love the programing, but have big reservations that Mr. Gallagher should be involved. The ability to stay solvent has little to do with profit or non-profit status. Hate to see a big fund drive, expectations, and then another sinking ship. Mr. Gallagher might have gone the route of the Gazette and found a deep pocketed partner...too late now..
Well, yes it IS a real drag.
Sam Kopper Hingham MAWell, yes it IS a real drag. It is just another example of what both big corporate and even small independently-owned stations are doing...pushing MUSIC off real RADIO in favor of news/talk formats. It drives me crazy - wasting a perfectly good hifi stereo signal on news/voice only! It happened to BCN and more recently to FNX...(though, for the moment the old FNX frequency is still music...)> By the way, the industry sages believe they will never convert young ears to news-talk without doing it on FM; young ears will ever accept the sonic-depression of AM.
Of course, BUR says that the old MVY will be ON LINE and MAYBE on a low power FM. Low power FM will have trouble covering the whole island but it might, with multiple transmitters. It definitely will not reach the mainland. As to Internet radio...my friend Peter Simon's thoughts notwithstanding, easy-to-receive user friendly streaming radio is STILL at least three to five years away. Cell signals HAVE to be MUCH better and/or municipalities have to install community wifi (what are the chances of THAT in this economy?!) AND...the receiving devices, table-top but especially IN CARS, must be ubiquitous, which, again, is a few years away. Love, Sam Kopper - WBCN Free Form Rock (streaming at WBCN.com..not just a plug...an empathetic point of view :-)
We love MVY and we know it
Oscar Murphy ConnecticutWe love MVY and we know it will continue. Is there a reason why MVY doesn't generate revenue by subscription like other online radio stations do?
I am heartbroken to hear of
Ted Krawiecki Bristol, Ct and Katama. MaI am heartbroken to hear of the sale. Like so many others above, my visits to the Vineyard begin with tuning into WMVY as my beacon and never turning it off until I am out of range on the way home. I will join so many others, and ask the many friends and family I have introduced to the Vineyard over my 55 years of enjoying the island, to make a donation to keep this true gem alive and a part of the our future. One last thought, perhaps the leaders of the Derby might see fit to also make a donation from this last season's button buys as well.
Listen regularly over here on
Sandy Mitchell NantucketListen regularly over here on the other island. I'll certainly miss the unique mix of great music and the daily Steamship report.
If you're raising $600,000
Murray the Dog Cape CodIf you're raising $600,000 why not raise $400,000 more and just buy the station and operate it as true non-profit community radio...it ain't easy, but if WOMR can pull it off in P'town, I'd think the Vineyard would get behind that effort.
The Black Dog should invest
Idea MvThe Black Dog should invest in saving WMVY.
I am left without . Our car
Randy Rompola South Bend, IndianaI am left dumbfounded. Our car has always had a 92.7 preset that was used but a week or two each year. 92.7 was always a quiet companion on the beach. A beautiful way to start a relaxed morning on the deck on the island. A game of how long could we keep the signal as we headed off the Cape and south on 95. The one station our entire family could agree on on the island and in Indiana on-line. Our kids discovered John Prine and others -- in ways we could not have ever introduced them. And most importantly, WMVY on-line provides a constant link to the island as we march through the rest of the year here in the midwest. I hope the future finds WMVY on-line and, for those of us who find WMVY inseparable with our view of the Vineyard, on-air.
Modernity strikes again. Sad
Jeffrey Fagan MV and BrooklynModernity strikes again. Sad. Inevitable.
Nice get, Julia...
Steve Kurkjian BostonNice get, Julia...
WMVY is so emblematic of the
Tappan Heher New York, NYWMVY is so emblematic of the Vineyard experience, its community, and to me has always set the mood for the place, it's always in the background when I'm on the island. I truly hope it can continue and find new life, online and on FM.
thanks alot 'B'....the one
kerritt bombaythanks alot 'B'....the one thing I allways counted on was getting WMVY on the old raido,driving up 495 and getting closer as the station grew louder and louder i knew my love the Island was near...Its a sad day for the Island, so goes the clifs at lucy, so goes MVY. I THIINK I'LL CRY NOW...byby 'B'thanks for the memories...MVY signing off.......
I Love WMVY radio. Is there
Lang Yee New York CityI Love WMVY radio. Is there anything we can do to save it?
I live near Boston now, and
Christine Powers WalthamI live near Boston now, and frequently listen to WMVY on-line. When we visit the Island, we do not bring our bulky desktop computers. We bring a Wave radio, which is always tuned to MVY. So, visitors like us will be out of luck without an on-air signal. And there is nothing like the moment when we first pick up MVY before crossing the Bourne Bridge! It's like a big Welcome Home!
From a post I made in the
Gary N MansfieldFrom a post I made in the Northeast section of the BMWMOA Forum
This is too bad, it seems like my favorite radio station WMVY radio has been sold to public radio station WBUR.
WMVY-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMVY
More from the MV Gazette-
http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2012/1...l-be-sold-wbur
It looks like there will be online streaming but I'm not set up for that-currently.
This was a radio station that had a spectacular playlist. When I called, I spoke directly to the DJ.
As it is (was) a relatively low power station, some years back, I went to the trouble of putting up an antenna cut for their frequency and "aimed" it at the station so I could receive their signal.
Goodby great OTH music, DJ's and really clutter free music.
OM
Another round fired in this
Martin Hanley Southeastern MassachusettsAnother round fired in this stupid turf war between WGBH and WBUR. Can't they call a truce on behalf of good sense? This is a huge loss for local news, music and culture for the South Coast. When I first got into broadcasting over 20 years ago, a proposed station had to establish that they were providing a programming service that wasn't being providing anywhere else. This is clearly not the case. WCAI (owned by WGBH) is serving the public radio needs quite nicely for Southeastern New England. On that basis the FCC should turn down the request for license transfer. This is not in the public interest of the listeners or the island people losing their jobs staffing the station.
Send you money and send this
Tony B. EdgartownSend your money and send this article to your friends, post it on Facebook, Twitter it - I did. Help the pledge drive grow. Qwetsching doesn't cover the bills - pledges that turn to cash may save this treasure.
We'll have three NPR signals
Kib Bramhall West TisburyWe'll have three NPR signals all broadcasting essentially the same content as one another: WGBH, WCAI and WBUR. Nobody needs that!
This is sad, sad news. MVY
Bill M Portsmouth RIThis is sad, sad news. MVY has been a fixture in my life over the past 14 years, and helped me through some really tough times. I'll pledge some $$ to the possibility of keeping it going online, but my thoughts are with the DJs who made it all happen. I feel like a true friend is dying.
My husband and I have worked
HeidiMy husband and I have worked at home for 8 years.Its a lonely way to make a living.The background of our daily lives has been MVY...Thank you for the Joy..
It's like the passing of a
Mason Marblehead/VHIt's like the passing of a favorite family member. Having had the privledge of being a reporter in the early days of WMVY along with Laura Alexander I have missed following the ebb and flow of Vineyard life via WMVY for many years now. This is like putting the nail in the coffin. That being said, WBUR is another favorite of mine here on the Northshore and making its programming available on Island is not a bad thing.....
I remember the radio station
Jeremy EdgartownI remember the radio station prior to WMVY's arrival. My father was instrumental in the founding and operating of WVOI all those years ago. It was unfortunate that WVOI had to fold so early on, but I enjoyed seeing the station it's self rise from the ashes like a phoenix, and become the community radio station I listened to throughout my adolescent years. MVY will rise again.
Happy 30th!? Can't we hold on
P. Silva VHHappy 30th!? Can't we hold on to anything that belongs to this island. Better late than never $$. It will be missed.
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