WJCT will convert its 89.9 FM radio station to an all-news and talk radio format July 13.
According to a June 4 news release, the Jacksonville-based NPR and PBS affiliate also will rebrand the station as WJCT News 89.9.
The conversion will add a midday newscast for local content from the station’s news team and 13 national news programs from U.S. and Canadian public media outlets.
WJCT is a nonprofit, community-owned public media organization that began operating in 1958. It controls WJCT-TV and radio and digital media products.
WJCT leadership said the broadcaster’s average number of weekly news product listeners has seen a steady increase. The percentage increase was not included in the station’s statement.
“The growing need for sources of news and information that are deeply thoughtful, unfailing in the pursuit of truth and universally available has never been clearer than it is now,” said David McGowan, WJCT president and CEO.
“The Jacksonville area in Northeast Florida, a region with an ever-more diverse citizenry, requires a healthy range of news sources to inform critical decisions about our shared future.”
WJCT is a Daily Record news partner, and the public radio station also will continue news partnerships with News4Jax.com and The Florida Times-Union, according to the statement.
The conversion comes after WJCT launched HD radio station Electro Lounge Radio on 89.9 HD4 in April.
The HD station is part of WJCT’s Jacksonville Music Experience brand that includes Classical 24® from American Public Media on 89.9 HD2; Anthology, music from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, on 89.9 HD3; Music Thursdays on WJCT-TV; Studio 5 Sessions at wjct.org; the VoidCast podcast, produced in partnership with Void Magazine; and live performances at the WJCT Soundstage.
View updated schedule launching July 13 at wjct.org/radiopreview.