CRIS Radio History


The first CRIS program broadcast articles featured in the Hartford Courant and a national magazine. Volunteers Alan Sagal, Jim MacPherson and Ron Milligan shared reading responsibilities for the two-hour broadcast that was aired on the subcarrier frequency of WJMJ.	CRIS moves into a building located behind the Board of Education and Services for the Blind offices in Windsor. CRIS introduces “Bookmark,” a program featuring a New York Times best-selling book and increases programming to eight hours per day, Monday through Friday.	CRIS begins broadcasting seven days a week.	WPKN in Bridgeport becomes the second station to provide CRIS programming on its subcarrier frequency. Daily programming is increased to 14 hours per day.


The first regional satellite studio opens in the University of Bridgeport’s North Hall. Readings from the Bridgeport Telegram and New Haven Journal are included.	CRIS begins broadcasting 24 hours a day.	The University of Connecticut begins carrying CRIS on the subcarrier frequency on its college radio station, WHUS. Continental Cable adds CRIS to their audio channel line-up.	Cox Cable and United Cable of Eastern Connecticut begin to carry CRIS. • The University of Bridgeport studio is closed and CRIS relocates to Trumbull High School.


Tele-Media Company of Northeastern Connecticut, Cablevision and United Cable of Eastern Connecticut add CRIS programming. CRIS changes its name from Connecticut Radio Information Service to Connecticut Radio Information System.	CRIS opens satellite studio at Three Rivers College in Norwich and adds readings of the Willimantic Chronicle, Norwich Bulletin, and The Day of New London.	Connecticut Community College instructional television makes CRIS programming available on its secondary audio program (SAP) channel. The Danbury Lions Club partners with CRIS to start a satellite studio in Danbury.	CRIS celebrates 20 years of service. CRIS institutes its Telephone Reader Service, which gives listeners the opportunity to hear programs with a tollfree phone call.


CRIS moves into new offices and studios in Windsor.	CRIS begins the transition from analog to digital recording.	The Norwich Studio at Three Rivers Community College was relocated to the Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut in Norwich. CRIS develops plans to build a new broadcast center in Windsor.	Construction begins on a new building at 315 Windsor Avenue in Windsor.


CRIS moves into its own, newly constructed broadcast center in Windsor and begins to offer its programming on its Web site at www. crisradio.org.	CRIS celebrates 30 years and begins planning for enhanced programming and listener options.