WDCB gains access to Chicago’s CAN TV

Barbara Popovic

Barbara Popovic

Jazz, blues and the rest of the lineup of public radio WDCB FM 90.9 soon will be heard around the clock on Chicago’s public access television network.

The College of Du Page noncommercial station has formed a wide-ranging partnership with CAN TV, the nonprofit independent network serving more than 450,000 households throughout the city of Chicago.

CANTVStarting Thursday, WDCB audio programming will be carried continuously on CAN TV42, one of five public access channels provided on all four cable systems in Chicago. The video on CAN TV42 consists of an interactive community bulletin board with news about jobs, cultural activities and nonprofit resources.

“This partnership combines the timeless qualities of jazz with timely information from nonprofits throughout the city,” Barbara Popovic, executive director of CAN TV, said in a statement. “We are excited to expand the audience for public media on multiple platforms.”

The deal marks an end to CAN TV’s 15-year agreement with Chicago Public Media to feature the programming of WBEZ FM 91.5 on CAN TV42.

In exchange for the added exposure, WDCB will air announcements for CAN TV throughout the week. The partnership also calls for co-sponsorship of special events and other promotional opportunities.

WDCB logoIt’s the latest coup for WDCB under new station manager Dan Bindert. Since his appointment last fall, he's brought new life to the west suburban Glen Ellyn-based station and vigorous competition to the local public radio arena.

“Jazz and blues music is a big part of Chicago’s history and identity,” Bindert said in a statement. “And the audience is very diverse, so we’re thrilled to be teaming up with CAN TV, which reaches such a wide cross-section of Chicago residents.”

The partnership will kick off at noon Thursday with a live co-production of pianist Barrelhouse Chuck performing at PianoForte in Chicago, to be simulcast on WDCB and CAN TV27. Special programming will continue throughout Chicago Blues Fest weekend.