Earlier this year, we reached out to nearly 38,000 members of the communities we serve and asked you to share your thoughts and opinions with us. We heard you and we value your input. So, in order to better reflect the people and the communities we serve, we are changing our name. As of Monday August 5, your Community Idea Stations will become VPM, Virginia’s home for Public Media.

A half-century ago, we began with a vision to bring the stories that matter to the people of our community. Today, our services reach many more communities throughout Virginia, from the Richmond metro area, to the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. Though our name is changing, our commitment to you and our purpose remains the same, including our promise to educate, entertain and inspire.

So what does this mean?

Will there be changes in TV programming?

We are standardizing our main PBS schedule in Harrisonburg, Richmond and Charlottesville to make it easier for audiences to find what they want to watch. Some shows will change days and times.

Has your mission changed?

Our mission remains the same, as does our commitment to the communities we serve. Our mission is to use the power of media to educate, entertain and inspire.

Did you do research to see what the community thought of changing your name?

We held focus groups with the Virginia Foundation for Public Media and Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation Boards, our Community Advisory Boards, supporters, community members and our staff. We also surveyed nearly 38,000 people, including donors, email subscribers and the general public. A statistical sample would have been a 1% response rate -- we received an amazing 7.6% response rate. 74% of those who responded thought changing our name was either a good idea (43%) or responded that a name change wouldn’t alter how they felt about us (31%).

Is your website changing?

After August 5, you can find us and the content you love online at VPM.org.

You will also be able to find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube at @myVPM.

Please note: if you're already following us, you don't need to do anything! Just continue to like and follow WCVE and on August 5, our name will simply change.