NEW ORLEANS (press release) – A significant milestone in community broadcasting will take place as Christwood Retirement Community, the new station licensee, and WWNO join forces to launch extended public radio coverage to the Northshore via WCWD, 89.5 FM.
The initiative, which starts on March 13th, not only extends WWNO’s acclaimed classical music programming to a broader audience but also reinforces the stations’ commitment to enriching local culture and community engagement.
The WCWD station includes a broadcast tower centrally located in Covington, ensuring signal coverage across the Northshore region. The new station will simulcast WWNO’s well known Classical programming, which currently airs on 104.9 FM, HD2, and KTLN 90.5 Houma-Thibodaux.
From March 13th, classical music enthusiasts who live outside the immediate New Orleans area will be able to enjoy the diverse orchestral and chamber works that make the broadcast popular. This expansion is a vital step in bridging cultural gaps and making high-quality public radio accessible to more listeners throughout Southeast Louisiana.
Christwood Retirement Community, a not-for-profit Life Plan Community celebrated for its commitment to arts, wellness, and enriching senior living, has long championed initiatives that bring the community together. By becoming the licensee for WCWD, Christwood extends its mission beyond its campus in Covington, offering an innovative platform that merges community living with cultural broadcasting. This partnership highlights the community’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to supporting public service and local arts.
“The launch of WCWD broadens access to the classical music network, currently provided by WWNO, to listeners on the Northshore,” said WWNO General Manager Paul Maassen. “We anticipate that our service will continue to develop and be a valuable community cultural service – all thanks to listener support.”
The official launch event, scheduled from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on March 13th, promises to be a festive and informative gathering. Community members are invited to the Atrium Gallery at Christwood, where local officials and WWNO staff will conduct a brief ceremony to commemorate the station’s debut. The event will provide an opportunity to learn more about upcoming programming, explore the impact of this new broadcast service, and celebrate the enhanced cultural connectivity it brings to the Northshore, according to Offbeat.
About WWNO
WWNO New Orleans Public Radio serves New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana by providing NPR’s trusted national news alongside locally produced stories and cultural programming. In addition to its main news channel on 89.9 FM, WWNO offers a 24-hour classical music service on Classical 104.9 FM, KTLN 90.5, and HD2, as well as a dedicated jazz channel on 89.9 HD3. The station’s diverse offerings are available via wwno.org, WWNO’s mobile app, and smart speakers, ensuring that quality content is always at listeners’ fingertips.
About Christwood
Christwood Retirement Community is a premier not-for-profit Life Plan Community in Covington, Louisiana. Designed for today’s older adults, Christwood offers a continuum of care from independent living to assisted and memory care. With a strong focus on art, music, social engagement, and wellness, Christwood not only enhances the lives of its residents but also actively contributes to the cultural vitality of the region.
