University sells radio station to Lehigh Valley Public Media
Scott Fybush
Lehigh Valley Public Media's headquarters.
Lehigh University is selling the broadcast license of WLVR-FM in Bethlehem, Pa., to Lehigh Valley Public Media, the university announced Thursday.
Lehigh Valley Public Media, which began managing the station in 2019, will purchase the station for $55,000 and provide Lehigh University with five years of underwriting credits, according to an asset purchase agreement filed Thursday with the FCC. The university will also charge $1 in annual rent for the transmission site and transmitter room, according to the agreement.
“We value the relationship we’ve had with Lehigh University to operate WLVR and the talented students who have contributed through our internship program,” said Hasanna Birdsong, CEO of Lehigh Valley Public Media. “We remain supportive of opportunities that help students gain meaningful real-world media experience through our multimedia platforms.”
LVPM also operates WLVT-TV in Bethlehem.
“Lehigh’s collaboration with Lehigh Valley Public Media has provided students with valuable professional experiences and enriched our community with essential local news,” said Nathan Urban, the university’s provost and senior VP of academic affairs, in the release.
LVPM cut nearly half of its staff in January after a financial shortfall following last year’s rescission of federal funding for public media.
The sale is pending FCC approval.
