And the two shall become one.

By Megan Wagner

It’s been quite an exciting week here at WNED!  In case you didn’t hear, we welcomed WBFO 88.7 FM to our family of public media. WBFO and AM 970 will now be simulcasting their broadcasts and bring you the best in public broadcasting and local journalism.

The combined program line-up will offer many of the same NPR programs, such as “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered” and “On Point.” They will also be retaining blues and jazz music. Listeners can tune-in to Blues on Saturdays from 7 – 11 p.m. and Sundays from 7 p.m. – midnight. We have also introduced an exciting new web streaming, smartphone app and HD radio jazz music service, available 24/7. JazzWorks offers classic recordings by many of the legends of American music, new music by emerging artists from all over the world and is presented by hosts who know the music and the artists. This service is one-of-a-kind in the WNY and Southern Ontario areas and will feature localized information.

Whoa, big news to take in, right?  With any positive transition comes change. I urge anyone, whether you are a WBFO listener or AM 970 listener, to give the new program line up a shot. I’m personally excited to hear “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” on our own airwaves!  We even got a shout out from “Day 6” (which is new to our program line-up) yesterday on Twitter.

But I must say, as much as this transition means to the community, it means just as much to the people of both organizations and their tireless efforts to make this possible. The countless hours and teamwork that has gone into this acquisition is astounding – and is little known unless you were right there in the thick of it.

As we counted down to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 1 (the official transfer date/time), the radio studio was filled with anticipation, excitement and relief all at the same time. At that moment, our organizations became one – the applause, smiles and congratulations were all 100% worth the work and knowing that the sky's the limit.  And we, very appropriately, ate one heck of a cake.

So we welcome the new, talented WBFO staff with open arms and hope you will as well!