Nevada Public Radio launched AAA “NV89” 89.1 KVNV Sun Valley/Reno NV today.
Former Shamrock Communications Reno Operations Manager Willobee Carlan is serving as OM/PD for the new station. Malayna Joy, previously midday host at AAA “100.1 The X” KTHX Dayton/Reno, will host mornings. The station’s airstaff will also feature former KROQ & KDLD Los Angeles host Gia DeSantis in middays, Life is Beautiful music coordinator Jake Wagner, and former “Live 105” San Francisco host and MTV VJ Steve Masters. KVNV will also carry KNPR Las Vegas’ “State of Nevada” newsmagazine at 9am daily and The World Cafe in evenings. The station’s programming will be heard on the HD3 of KNPR Las Vegas as well as Nevada Public Radio’s other full-powered stations in Nevada and St. George UT.
Nevada Public Radio purchased then KJIV in November 2016 from Open Sky Radio Corp. for $550,000. It originally stated it intended to rebroadcast Public News/Talk 88.9 KNPR Las Vegas. The KJIV programming continues as a webcaster.
NV89 – Nevada Public Radio’s (NVPR) music discovery channel with no commercials – is now live on 89.1 FM in Reno, online at NV89.org and on social media @NV89Radio and #HelloNV89.
The public radio station is a champion of emerging artists and Nevada musicians who will be the stars of tomorrow, as well as established artists with a history of creating compelling music from recent years. NV89 airs NPR’s World Café and will be affiliated with the VuHaus video platform to stay connected with national musical tastemakers.
Along with music, NVPR’s news magazine “State of Nevada” will air weekdays at 9am. “We’re thrilled to be expanding into Reno, now home of Tesla’s Gigafactory and the world’s largest data campus of Las Vegas-based Switch Communications.” said Florence Rogers, President and CEO of NVPR.
Driving the station’s music is one-time Billboard magazine “Rock Personality of the Year” and renowned Reno on-air mainstay Willobee Carlan, who joins Nevada Public Radio as NV89’s Operations Manager and Program Director. Prior to joining NV89, Carlan was the Director of Broadcast Operations for Shamrock Communications in Reno, overseeing programming for KRZQ-FM, KZTI-FM, KWNZ-FM, K-NEWS and Martini Radio. Carlan’s 30-plus years in the business includes major label recording artist management along with on-air and managerial roles in New York City, Austin, Santa Barbara and Phoenix.
“Reno is already an incredible place to call home and now we have a true home for local and emerging artists,” said Carlan. “In knowing and assessing the local radio landscape, NV89 beautifully fills a void in our community. The journey ahead is shaping up to be fulfilling and promising.”
Working with consultant Mike Henry, Carlan has brought together a team of on-air talent that includes KROQ-FM alum and former Indie 103.1 “Cocktails in the Kiddie Pool” host Gia DeSantis, former tour/stage manager and Life is Beautiful music coordinator Jake Wagner, former FOX 11 host and KTHX-FM midday personality Malayna Kerton and the legendary Steve Masters from MTV and San Francisco’s Live 105.
Mike Henry of Paragon Media Strategies is project consultant and Erik Langner of Public Media Company managed the acquisition for NVPR. In addition to its Reno frequency, NV89 is streaming at NV89.org and on KNPR HD3 through their network of repeater stations in Nevada, Utah, Arizona and California.
