EDMOND—A revamped kpcg.fm website launched on June 8 after two weeks of coding by Information Services staff member Patrick Hogan. The official site for kpcg 101.3 FM hosts a live stream and offers a program archive, allowing listeners to access programs on demand.

The new website for the Philadelphia Church of God’s low-power radio station also offers podcast subscriptions to shows like The Key of David, Trumpet Daily Radio Show and Trumpet Hour. Podcasts are audio or video shows that listeners can access on demand, rather than tuning in at a certain time of day. Hogan said podcasting is still a niche technology, but listeners can access it more easily than they might realize.

“You don’t have to have iTunes,” Hogan said. “tvs and mobile phones can play podcasts. I listen to a podcast on my short commute to work and throughout the day.”

Hogan said the new site helps maximize the reach of each radio program, since listeners are no longer limited to the low-power FM radio or live stream options. “Life gets in the way,” he said; with on-demand radio, “you can stop the program and come back later and finish it.”

Podcasting also gives program presenters the ability to include show notes. For example, Trumpet Daily Radio Show presenter Stephen Flurry could point audience members to an online link for a current events article mentioned during the program. Philadelphia Church of God music director Ryan Malone could refer his Music for Life listeners to an online music score.

The simply designed site stands alone, unlinked to other pcg websites—though some radio content will continue to be posted on theTrumpet.com. “I looked at a couple podcast websites,” Hogan said. “The idea is to keep it simple and clean. It had to get done quickly.” Fonts and colors are reminiscent of the recent Philadelphia Trumpet newsmagazine redesign.

Online Marketing manager David Vejil said the new site has additional advantages. “The big exposure will probably be if people share these shows through social media,” he said. “Leave reviews and thumbs-ups on iTunes, and we will more likely be featured on the trending section.”

kpcg.fm will also attract more listeners when presenters interview prominent public figures who then share the program on their own social media.

Vejil said he is now working to establish a presence on platforms such as iTunes, TuneIn, SoundCloud and Stitcher. He said listeners can help promote kpcg with these tools. “Once those things are available, favorably rate and review the shows,” he suggested to kpcg listeners. “Give any type of positive feedback that they can.”

“The old site really just had the live stream,” Hogan said. “It’s hard to market a live stream. A lot of people said they see buzz about a certain program, but they can’t always listen to it live. Having on-demand content is ideal.”

“The brethren I’ve talked to seem so excited by the concept of radio,” information services department head Andrew Locher said. “I’m excited about a new initiative that can even shape future websites for us.”