July/August/September 2019 Volume 19, Number 3
COMPL
IMENTA
RY
Sponsored in part by Beaver County Office on Aging Check out the new Beaver County Office on Aging Bulletin on pages 8-13. Readers can email pghseniornews@ icloud.com or contact BCOA by calling (724) 847-2262 with comments and feedback.
Beaver County Radio’s reach remains strong after 70-plus years on the air By Gina Mazza For Beaver County Senior News
I
n this age of information overload, social media, and radical changes in how news is perceived and delivered, it’s not easy for traditional media outlets to stand out and reflect a positive impact on their intended audience. That’s only one of the many reasons why the longtime success of two local radio stations—WBVP 1230 and WMBA 1460, together known as Beaver County Radio—is so incredible. The stations celebrated their 70th anniversary last year at a beautiful gala in Beaver Falls, and yet the future is what station owner Mark Peterson is focusing on these days.
“The big news in the forefront is that we were approved for an FM radio station this past January and the equipment is ready to be installed,” he announces. “That FM station—99.3 FM—should be on the air this summer.”
10,000 to 15,000 per week, the coverage area extends north to Ellwood City, south to the Pittsburgh International Airport area, east to Cranberry Township in Butler County, and west to the East Palestine, Ohio area.
What’s the station’s secret to success and longevity? “It’s all about content,” comments Mark, who views his role as a caretaker of a valuable Beaver County asset, not just a media business. “The reason we’ve done well from the get-go is because we go overboard covering what’s happening right in our own back yard. It’s run like a big news station but for a small local community.”
The stations date back to the Forties. WBVP was founded in 1948 by Frank Smith and Thomas Price—who previously worked at WWSW in Pittsburgh—and Charles Onderka, who was employed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. WMBA was put on the air in that same decade by a group out of Pottsville called Miners Broadcasting Service, Inc. After a variety of sales and mergers over the ensuing
With a “guesstimated” combined listenership of about
Continued on page 3
Do you need help with caregiving? * Visit our website at Pittsburghseniornews.com to view our Beaver County Senior Resource Guide.
Do you have an event to share? If you would like us to publicize a Beaver County event, send information by the 10th day of the month prior. Email submissions will be reviewed and every effort will be made to run qualified submissions if page space is available. All submissions to pghseniornews@icloud.com.
Visit Us Online at pittsburgh seniornews.com Check out our calander of events. Plus games and news.