RadioSpokane stations to broadcast Spokesman-Review news

Starting this spring, news from The Spokesman-Review will now be heard on the radio, the result of a newly launched partnership between the newspaper and RadioSpokane.

The unique media agreement will allow The Spokesman-Review to broadcast at least four daily newscasts through the day, plus a weekend talk show and a ‘Week in Broadcast’ summary.

RadioSpokane will broadcast the new programming over its seven Mapleton stations in the Spokane area, which include KGA 1510 AM, KZBD 105.7 FM, KDRK 93.7 FM and KEYF 101.1 FM.

“We’re excited to be able to offer our readers still more ways of accessing our reports,” said W. Stacey Cowles, President, Cowles Publishing Company.

The announcement was made jointly by Cowles; Adam Nathanson, CEO of Mapleton Communications; Don Morin, general manager of RadioSpokane, and Shaun O’L. Higgins, director of sales and marketing for Cowles Publishing Company.

“We are delighted that our news reports will now be powered by The Spokesman-Review, which gives us the largest news-gathering force in the Inland Northwest,” said Nathanson. “It means our listeners will have a reliable and respected local news report and updates throughout the day on our radio stations to better serve the community.”

Some of the details of the venture are still pending, but currently, the plan is for the weekday newscasts to be offered during the morning drive time, midday and evening drive time. This content will be available exclusively on RadioSpokane for a two-year period.

In addition to news coverage, the companies will explore additional ways to work together to support one another’s community sponsorships and promotional outreach.

“Mapleton Communications has a proven track record and we are thrilled to be partnering with the newly acquired RadioSpokane radio stations,” said Higgins. “The power of RadioSpokane adds an important dimension to our current print, online and mobile platforms.”

Spokesman-Review radio news will broadcast directly from The Spokesman-Review building, under the direction of Editor Steven A. Smith, who is assembling a broadcast news team to produce the reports, including several veterans of the local radio landscape.

The weekend “talk” programming will be produced under the direction of the S-R’s radio team at RadioSpokane studios.