Cleveland State University partners with Ideastream Public Media

Cleveland State University has partnered with Ideastream Public Media to benefit both the university’s public radio station, WCSB, and the university’s students who are pursuing journalism, TV and radio production, marketing, and graphic design. As per the partnership agreement, Ideastream will oversee the programming of WCSB, with the station becoming Northeast Ohio’s jazz radio station, JazzNEO.

According to an article on Cleveland State University’s website, Dr. Laura Bloomberg, who serves as the university’s president, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “The decision to have Ideastream oversee WCSB programming is one step forward in our Cleveland State United vision, the strategic plan for our university launched earlier this year. CSU is uniquely embedded within the city of Cleveland, which provides students with opportunities to benefit from strategic partnerships like this one. We look forward to working with Ideastream to expand access to experiential and work-based learning.”

The new JazzNEO station will provide listeners with 24/7 jazz radio on a regular broadcast station, with the new station having a traditional analog broadcast signal at 89.3 FM. Listeners can also listen to an online stream at ideastream.org. WCSB has a few nationality-based programs that will continue to air on the station until a new home can be found for those broadcasts, ensuring communities who rely on those programs will continue to have access to them.

Kevin Martin, the CEO and President of Ideastream Public Media, said, “Jazz is one of America’s most original art forms – and by expanding its reach on the airwaves, we’re ensuring this music remains vibrant, accessible, and part of the cultural fabric of our community. We are deeply grateful to Cleveland State University’s partnership in making this possible.”

Ideastream’s headquarters are located within steps of Cleveland State University’s campus, and the organization shares space with CSU’s School of Film & Media Arts. The close location will make it convenient for students to access the upcoming paid internship and for-credit opportunities the organization is working with the university to establish. Students in journalism, TV and radio production, marketing, and graphic design will be able to observe and work with Ideastream’s employees, providing an inside look into the industry careers students are working toward obtaining themselves.

For more information about Cleveland State University, visit the school’s website.