Public Radio Satellite System turns 30

The Public Radio Satellite System is marking its 30th anniversary, it announced today. PRSS launched in 1979, and was the first to use satellite technology to develop a national distribution network for radio. Back then, PRSS sent out programming to 192 public radio stations; now it transmits nearly 400,000 hours of programming annually from more than 200 producers to more than 800 public radio stations. Last month it launched the Technology Research Center with NPR Labs to provide research, consulting, and testing capabilities for pubradio stations, other networks and producers. It will also market its consulting services to commercial clients. That revenue will support distribution of content to public radio stations.