Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
WMPG began as a pirate radio station broadcasting from a dorm room in Gorham in the early 1970s. By 1973, an FCC license and studio in Gorham were in place, and WMPG was established! In about 1990, a move to the little white house on the corner on Bedford Street brought WMPG into Portland and enhanced the community involvement.
What is your primary product or service?
WMPG is a non-commercial, community radio station, broadcasting from the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine. WMPG is volunteer-run, with a staff of three professional managers assuring the consistent and quality operation of the station. We provide training to members of the public, and to students who would like to be involved in creating radio programming. We broadcast a very broad range of music genres, and public affairs programming, developed and produced locally. We have two weekday spots in our programming schedule for independent national, syndicated programming. Everything else is live and local.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
A few UMPG students started a radio club in the early 70s and that is how WMPG came into being. Through all the university changes and evolution into USM, WMPG has been here serving the university and wider southern Maine community!
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
WMPG's purpose is to air unheard voices, points of view, music and stories. Volunteer programmers are not given playlists, nor are they told what they can and cannot say, within the guidelines of FCC rules. Over 250 active volunteers are involved in keeping the station running, and donate many volunteer hours to WMPG.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
WMPG's offices and broadcast studios are located on the Portland campus of USM. The main broadcast frequency, 90.9, emanates from a 4500 watt transmitter and antenna at Blackstrap Hill on the Westbrook Falmouth line. A repeater frequency, at 104.1 on the FM dial, comes from a 110 watt transmitter at Promenade East on Munjoy Hill.
Provide detailed directions to your location
WMPG is located on the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine, at 92 Bedford Street.
What type of payments do you accept?
WMPG accepts donations from the public and from businesses. We can accept cash, checks, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and PayPal. WMPG operates under the auspices of the Student Government of USM, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Twice per year WMPG asks listeners to support WMPG during our week-long Begathons. Many supporters choose to become Sustaining Donors, by authorizing monthly payments so as to spread out their support throughout the year. WMPG also welcomes legacy donations from those who are in the process of estate planning.
Which areas do you service?
WMPG is heard from the state line with NH to the south, to just south of Augusta. We can be heard throughout southern and southwestern Maine, parts of central Maine, and as far west as central and eastern New Hampshire.
What are your hours of operation?
WMPG broadcasts 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
That they listen because of our unique, high quality programming.