Four major public radio stations in the New York City metropolitan area have formed the groundbreaking Tri-State Public Radio Music Collaborative. The partnership includes WBGO 88.8 FM (Newark), WQXR 105.9 FM (New York), WFUV 90.7 FM (Fordham), and WSHU 91.1 FM (Sacred Heart).

The collaboration aims to:

• Create shared content
• Build larger audiences
• Generate new revenue streams
• Develop innovative programming initiatives
• Strengthen public media in America's largest media market

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has provided funding to develop a comprehensive five-year business model, which will serve as a template for similar collaborations nationwide. Public Media Company will guide the strategic direction, while Paragon will conduct digital audits and membership analysis for each station.

WBGO President & CEO Steven A. Williams emphasizes the unique opportunity to leverage their combined influence as leading broadcasters. The initiative marks the first formal collaboration between these stations, despite informal discussions spanning over a decade.

WQXR's commitment to making classical music accessible aligns with the collaborative's mission to enhance public radio service across the tri-state region. The partnership represents a significant step forward in public media cooperation, with potential implications for similar initiatives in other major markets.

This historic collaboration brings together diverse musical formats and audiences, creating a stronger foundation for public radio's future in the New York metropolitan area and beyond. The initiative demonstrates how strategic partnerships can enhance public media's impact while maintaining each station's unique identity and mission.

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