You will soon have a better opportunity to hear News Talk 1010 WCSI at more locations in Bartholomew County.

The Federal Communications Commission has given its approval to allow the station to broadcast on FM Channel 98.1. That’s in addition to the historic home at 1010 AM.

WCSI, WKKG, WWWY and WWIN are all owned by White River Broadcasting Co. WCSI first went on the air in Columbus in 1947, as a Class D AM radio station. Until 1989, the station was required to sign off at sunset each night and back on at sunrise the next morning.  Station Manager Bob Morrison explains

Since then the station has been allowed to broadcast 24 hours a day, but at night it hasto reduce power to only 18 watts. That means the can only be heard in a limited area now.

Morrison explains that this is an endeavor that station officials have been working on for some time in an effort to better serve the community.

The investment in expanding to a second source for WCSi news and talk radio recognizes the importance of radio to the community, Morrison said.

The new FM translator, which will broadcast from the station’s tower at National Road and North Washington Street in Columbus, will allow listeners to hear all of the station’s programs including All News in the Morning, AM Columbus and conservative talk radio hosts, along with updates from Fox News, Hoosier Ag Today and Network Indiana in all parts of the city and all around Bartholomew County, 24 hours a day.

The exact date of the launch is dependent on the weather, but the station is working to have it available this spring.