Lehigh University has entered into an agreement to sell the Federal Communications Commission broadcast license for 91.3 WLVR-FM to its long-standing partner Lehigh Valley Public Media (LVPM). The agreement signals the shift in student learning outcomes related to digital content creation.
“Lehigh’s collaboration with Lehigh Valley Public Media has provided students with valuable professional experiences and enriched our community with essential local news,” said Nathan Urban, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. “As we move forward, we are excited to evolve this partnership to focus on the next generation of content creation. Our priority is ensuring that Lehigh students graduate equipped with the advanced digital fluency, AI-readiness, and multimedia skills necessary to lead and succeed in a rapidly transforming media landscape.”
In 2019, LVPM assumed the management and operations of WLVR under the supervision and control of Lehigh University via a strategic partnership which included converting 91.3 FM into a multi-channel HD broadcast station. While Lehigh University has operated the HD-2 signal for a student-run station during this period, the university has observed a sustained shift in student engagement away from traditional broadcast radio and toward on-demand, digital-first media.
“We value the relationship we’ve had with Lehigh University to operate WLVR and the talented students who have contributed through our internship program,” said Hasanna Birdsong, President & CEO of Lehigh Valley Public Media. “We remain supportive of opportunities that help students gain meaningful real-world media experience through our multimedia platforms.”
The ownership transition is pending regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
