SPRINGFIELD, MA (November 24, 2020) For New England Public Media President Martin Miller, this fall marks an important milestone — 25 years of service in public media in western New England.
In 1995, having served in a number of capacities for almost 11 years for WGBH Radio, Miller moved to western Massachusetts to take the helm of WFCR 88.5, which was, at that time, a public radio station licensed to UMass, and affiliated with the Five College Consortium since the early 60’s. By the 90’s it was airing NPR news programs during drive times, classical music during the day, and jazz in the later evening hours.
Some years later, when many public radio stations were pressured to move away from classical music programming in favor of 24-hour news and talk, Miller orchestrated a solution with the acquisition of WNNZ AM in 2007. The station could provide news programming on one channel while remaining faithful to its devoted music-loving audience on its flagship channel. With the eventual expansion to 13 frequencies, and a robust website, a new name was in order, and in 2011, New England Public Radio was born.
The current chapter of expansion under Miller’s leadership is the most substantial yet. In April of 2019, New England Public Radio and WGBY Television announced that the two organizations would merge to create a new multi-media organization, which would be better positioned to serve the region — New England Public Media.
As President, Miller is now leading the process to expand NEPM’s reach by investing in new people, new platforms, new infrastructure, and new services. NEPM is building on the strength of each organization to deliver the trusted educational content, cultural and news programs, and community engagement that characterizes public media.
Jon Abbott, President and CEO of GBH, is grateful for Miller’s contributions, “Public media’s role in our communities is now more important than ever. Martin’s energy and ingenuity over these last 25 years have shaped public media in western New England. He’s been a tireless champion for the promise of public radio for years and has guided an impressive roster of important innovations.” Robert Feldman, Chair of the New England Public Media Board of Directors, concurs, “Martin Miller has been the visionary leader of public media in western New England for the past 25 years, serving the region with distinction and a deep commitment to the public good.”
Miller is a trained mediator and has worked as a volunteer in small claims courts in the region. He currently serves on the board of the Springfield Central Cultural District, and is a former board member of Beit Ahavah, the Reform Jewish community based in Florence. He studied trombone at the State University of New York at Buffalo where he earned a BFA and MFA in Music Education.
ABOUT NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA
New England Public Media is a community-supported, independent non-profit organization based in Springfield, MA. Through a deep commitment to independent local journalism, trusted educational content, inspired cultural offerings, and civic engagement, NEPM endeavors to share new voices and inspire new conversations. It provides audiences with a broad array of local and national programs across all media—TV, radio, online, and mobile, including PBS and NPR programs as well as locally produced series, podcasts and specials. Its four digital TV channels, and two radio networks present news, jazz and classical music, documentaries, talk, drama, plus cultural and educational programming.
NEPM brings quality public television programs to audiences across western New England, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs, to hear diverse viewpoints, and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS KIDS helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. NEPM's locally produced television programming includes the magazine-format public affairs show Connecting Point, the bilingual series Presencia, and the academic quiz show As Schools Match Wits. NEPM is available over the air on digital channel 57-1 and on cable throughout western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut and can be seen in high definition in western Massachusetts at Comcast 857, Time Warner 1221, Spectrum 782, and over the air on channel 57.
New England Public Media's radio presence provides an essential and trusted voice for the region through local reporting and locally-produced music programming, and by connecting the region to the world through its partnership with NPR and other national and international public media organizations. Its flagship signal, 88.5FM WFCR, and 5 repeating stations in Berkshire County, presents news, jazz, and classical music, while the six stations of the NEPM News Network provide the region with news, talk, and cultural programming 24/7.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Vanessa Cerillo
Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and Events
New England Public Media
413-735-6605
vanessa_cerillo@nepm.org