Salt Pond Community Broadcasting Co

Salt Pond Community Broadcasting operates WERU-FM Community Radio, which provides music, news and public affairs, and other cultural content. Programming ranges from diverse music (50 genres) to national headline news (5 prime time hours per week) to local public affairs programs. WERU meets a need in our region for an independent, community-based source of entertainment and information. The key to these diverse offerings is another important aspect of WERU, which is the commitment of 175 volunteers to serve as broadcasters and behind-the-scenes workers who reflect the local community. Volunteers receive free training, and no prior experience is necessary.WERU's music programming provides citizens of Maine with a wide span of opportunities to learn about diverse forms of music and culture, creating a cross pollination of listener's interests and ideas. Each week, WERU broadcasts a dizzying array of Zydeco, Gospel, Jazz, Folk, Indie Rock, Blues, and Reggae, just to name a few.WERU's highly respected local and national news and public affairs programming provides listeners with opportunities to interact through call-in programs with a wide variety of topics and people. Topics associated with economic development, education, maritime issues, Native American issues, and public health are just a few examples of the width and depth of our local public affairs.2,100 individual and household members and 400 local businesses support WERU, amounting to over 70% of annual income. WERU receives approximately 22% of its financial support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, having met rigorous guidelines for community involvement and local support.WERU's broadcast signal reaches a potential audience of 200,000 people in Midcoast, Downeast and Central Maine. WERU broadcasts 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, both over the airwaves and on the Internet. The radio station was founded in 1988.