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January 7, 2009

MPBN shutdown delayed

By The Mainebiz News Staff

The president of Maine Public Broadcasting Network yesterday told lawmakers that the nonprofit corporation would delay closing two of its northern transmission towers for six weeks while it seeks alternative solutions to its budget crunch.

Jim Dowe said Dec. 18 that the Lewiston-based corporation would shut down one of its five television stations, WMED-DTV Channel 13 in Calais, and two of its seven radio stations, WMEF-FM 106.5 in Fort Kent and WMED-FM 89.7 in Calais, among other cuts needed because of a reduction in state funding and the loss of various federal grants.

Addressing legislators yesterday, Dowe said MPBN would delay closing the two transmission towers until Feb. 28, citing negotiations with several unnamed public and private entities, according to the Bangor Daily News. MBPN would save $71,000 a year by closing the two towers, which serve its smallest broadcast market.

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