Pasadena-based public radio station KPCC will rename itself LAist 89.3, according to an announcement by station management on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Currently, LAist maintains its own website and shares content and a podcasting production extension, LAist Studios, with KPCC.
“AirTalk” host Larry Mantle explained some of the changes in an email sent to listeners. The move was designed to reduce confusion and create a cohesive name for listeners and the KPCC and LAist newsrooms.
“This new unified, cohesive brand will bring together our radio (LAist 89.3), digital news site (LAist.com), and podcasts (LAist Studios) under one name that clearly identifies what we are all about: serving Southern California the news and information that you count on every day,” according to the statement.
Along with KPCC, Southern California Public Radio’s other channels will also be rebranded with the new LAist name. The other new station names will be LAist 89.1 KUOR (Inland Empire), LAist 90.3 KVLA (Coachella Valley), LAist 89.9 (Santa Barbara) and LAist 89.5 KJAI (Ventura County).
LAist 89.3 will continue to host NPR programming such as “Morning Edition,” “AirTalk,” “All Things Considered” and other local favorites.
“For more than 40 years, I’ve seen KPCC grow and change enormously, providing an essential service to hundreds of thousands of people in Greater LA, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and beyond, thanks to the support of listeners and members like you. I’m grateful you will be with us in this next chapter as LAist,” Mantle wrote.