After resolving its legal issues, South Florida Public Media Group has closed on its purchase of the former Hip Hop “104.7 The Flame” WFLM Palm Beach Shores FL and relaunched the station as a simulcast of Public News/Talk 91.3 WLRN-FM Miami.
Now operating as WPBB, the move brings Public News/Talk to a full-powered signal in Palm Beach County for the first time since 90.7 WXEL-FM was sold to American Public Media in 2011. Since then 101.9 W270AD West Palm Beach, currently fed by iHeartMedia’s 105.5 WOLL-HD2 Hobe Sound has served as the home for the format, simulcasting WLRN-FM. They state that the addition of 104.7 enables it to reach an additional 800,000 listeners in the county that could not receive its programming over the air.
WLRN-FM licensee Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres said, “For decades, Miami-Dade County Public Schools has been deeply proud to hold the license for WLRN, nurturing it into a beacon of award-winning journalism and trusted NPR programming. The launch of WPBB, in partnership with SFPMG, allows us to share this rich legacy of broadcast excellence with our neighbors in Palm Beach and Martin counties, delivering dependable public media that informs, educates, and elevates all of South Florida.”
SFPMG interim General Manager Tom Hudson commented, “This is a remarkable milestone for public broadcasting. Launching a full powered NPR member station in Palm Beach County and beyond is an investment in the community with local journalism, national reporting and global perspectives that only public media can provide.”
SFPMG agreed to purchase WFLM last June for $6.45 million. As part of the settlement with the school board, they will transfer the license to it for $1 but continue to manage the stations.
WLRN-FM says that the 101.9 translator will continue to simulcast through the end of Hurricane season.
Nestor Augmentin
This is super important for public media in South Florida. I lived in South Palm Beach county for many years and recall the frustration as WLRN fluttered out driving north. It just made no sense that a media market the size of West Palm didn’t have either its own NPR station or a full power simulcast. Thanks to all involved for getting this done. I predict that the new WPBB 104.7 will quickly become one of the higher-rated signals in its coverage area with its WLRN simulcast.