VPR AND VPR CLASSICAL NOW AVAILABLE VIA WAITSFIELD CABLE

Thursday, March 19, 2009 -- Vermont Public Radio is now available to Waitsfield Cable customers in the Mad River Valley. A recent equipment upgrade to a digital feed will provide VPR at 107.9 and VPR Classical at 107.5* when connected through the Waitsfield Cable system.

Subscribers can hear VPR and VPR Classical by plugging their radio or stereo receiver into the coaxial cable connection using an FM splitter. The upgrade improves reception of VPR and creates a way for listeners to hear VPR Classical, Vermont Public Radio’s 24-hour classical music service, in an area that cannot yet receive the service via analog radio.

Waitsfield Cable, a part of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, serves 3,500 customers in Waitsfield, Warren, Fayston, Moretown, parts of south Duxbury and Bolton Valley Ski Resort. Waitsfield Cable carries more than 30 local and regional radio stations on the cable system.

WCVT’s move to provide VPR and VPR Classical via cable was prompted by a customer inquiry in late December. The company plans to add the BBC World Service to its coverage in coming weeks.

“Waitsfield Cable believes in the value of Vermont Public Radio and is pleased to be able to offer our customers the very best VPR has to offer,” said Don Whitman, Cable TV Network Supervisor for Waitsfield Cable. “We continue to make improvements to our all-digital system, and by upgrading some equipment, we have been able to significantly improve the signal quality of Vermont Public Radio on our system.”

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Waitsfield Cable to bring VPR and VPR Classical to listeners in the Mad River Valley,” said VPR President Robin Turnau.

*UPDATE April 13, 2009: VPR's stream of the BBC World Service is now available to Waitfield Cable customers at 106.5.