At Lincoln Financial Media’s FM 94/9 in San Diego, they proudly say, "It’s about the music." But when over 300,000 people have been evacuated and everyone else in the county is "on standby," it’s about vital information.
So when the local public radio station that has a big reputation for news coverage had their transmitter go up in flames, FM 94/9 Program Director Garett Michaels and VP/General Manager Darrel Goodin acted quickly to air KPBS’ continuous coverage. As DJ Tommy Hough explained before throwing the switch on Tuesday morning at 8:30, the decision was simple: "We have a signal. They have a great local news team but no signal. It’s in everyone’s best interest to hand over our airwaves to KPBS."
If you got into this business to make a difference, know that you do, every day. Sometimes it’s by playing a favorite song or making people laugh. And sometimes it’s by doing what’s least expected but most needed. Congratulations to FM 94/9 and KPBS for their unprecedented cooperation.
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This is a huge deal and will continue to make a vital difference to the people in the SD-area, but it’s not unprecedented. The City of New York allowed WNYC to broadcast on WNYE’s frequency (91.5) after WNYC lost their FM transmitter on the North Tower on 9/11.
I would expect nothing less from this radio station-94.9 & Garett Michaels. They really are “all about the music,” and are obviously willing to lend a hand in a time of need.
Let this serve as a example to those looking for a station “with integrity” when turning and searching on the radio dial.