WNPV Inc. has announced that it will cease operations of News/Talk 1440 WNPV/98.5 W253CA Lansdale PA at the end of April.
The station serves the northern suburbs of Philadelphia with a mix of local and syndicated talk shows. WNPV also carries local high school sports plus Philadelphia Phillies baseball and Penn State University sports.
In a statement announcing the impending sign-off, General Manager Phil Hunt commented, “In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to compete for both audience and advertising dollars, and unfortunately it is no longer sustainable to continue to run the business in a way that delivers the service our community expects and deserves.”
The station has not yet determined what it will do with the licenses of the station and translator following the end of operations.
Following almost 60 years of providing award-winning local news, talk and
sports to Montgomery and Bucks counties, radio station WNPV will air its final programming
and go off the air on April 30, 2020.“Our mission has always been to serve the public interest by providing top-quality local news, and we have never been willing to compromise on that promise,” said WNPV General Manager Phil Hunt. “In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to compete for both audience and advertising dollars, and unfortunately it is no longer sustainable to continue to run the business in a way that delivers the service our community expects and deserves.”
WNPV first took to the airwaves on October 17, 1960, and less than a month later aired its first high school football game—a key component of the station’s programming that continued
through 60 seasons. The station has also always aired live local programs, including the
acclaimed telephone talk show, “Comment Please,” an opportunity for leaders, lawmakers,
entertainers and community voices to express their views on current issues. Over the years,
WNPV and its staff has won dozens of awards from the Associated Press and the Pennsylvania
Association of Broadcasters.“The people of Montgomery and Bucks counties have trusted WNPV for fast, honest and reliable news from their neighborhoods for the last six decades, and it’s a responsibility we’ve never taken lightly,” said Hunt. “We are grateful for the support of our loyal listeners, the belief of our advertisers and the commitment from our talented team. It has been an honor to serve this community.”
WNPV will continue to air regular programming through April 30. The future of the AM 1440
and FM 98.5 frequencies, as well as the station’s license, is not yet known.
