WGMC-FM in Rochester, New York (Jazz90.1) announced a plan to launch an original pureplay station starting in August. The originally programmed stream will feature blues on weekdays and big band tracks on weekends.
Jazz90.1 is owned by a school district in Greece, NY (near Rochester) and is publicly funded, drawing support from listeners and businesses. The station broadcasts with 15,000 watts after a capital campaign which purchased a transmitter upgrade from the previous 5,000-watt level.
“This is an exciting time for Jazz90.1,” said Station Manager Rob Linton. “We have been exploring ways to continue to fill the musical voids that we have found on the airwaves and online not only in Rochester, but around the country. Jazz, big band and blues music needs more places where people can enjoy it, and Jazz90.1 is happy to be that home.”
Two over-the-air DJs will program the blues and big-band programming. the stream will also include rebroadcasts of some shows from the FM side.