Maine Public Broadcasting Network added a fourth station to its classical music service within weeks of its premiere.
Maine Public Classical will reach about 150,000 people in the Portland market on 104.1 FM, according to the Portland Press Herald. The other three stations airing the service are in Bangor, Fryeburg and Waterville.
The frequency was a secondary signal for WMPG, a community radio station owned by University of Southern Maine in Portland, before MPBN purchased it for an undisclosed amount, according to the paper.
On May 9 the MPBN’s radio network separated its NPR News programming from its music service by launching an news and information format on seven stations broadcasting as Maine Public Radio. The music service airing on Maine Public Classical is also available through HD radio and online streams.
Its original programs include a weekday morning classical program hosted by Robin Rilette and Jazz Tonight, airing on Friday nights. Nationally syndicated programs from American Public Media, including Performance Today and Classical 24, dominate the weekday schedule.
“You — our audience — have asked us repeatedly for more news and information and more music,” the network said on its website. “There is simply not enough “real estate” on a single radio signal to meet these requests. Our solution? Launching a new radio service allowing us to provide you with more music and entertainment, new programs, more news and informational programs, and more choice than ever before.
Mark Vogelzang, MPBN president, told the paper the network is looking to continue expanding the service in other parts of the state.