It’s a new initiative from the New York public radio giant. As cross-station collaboration keeps getting easier — and as individual stations look to clarify the value they add separate from the NPR/PRI/APM megaliths — look for more ad hoc “networks” like this one. Press release below.

WNYC presents “Swing State Radio Network”

A partnership with public radio stations in Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New Hampshire, among others

Presidential Debate Coverage and Analysis with Experts, Journalists, and Voters in the Swing States Kicks off Wednesday, October 3 at 8pm ET On-Air and Online

(New York, NY – October 1, 2012) — If all politics are local, nowhere is this more true – and more the subject of polls – than in the swing states. All season long, WNYC has devoted its coverage to the real issues that matter not only to New Yorkers and New Jerseyans but to voters in the crucial handful of states that will ultimately decide who is President for the next four years.

For the Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates, WNYC has convened a number of public radio stations in swing states to present “SWING STATE RADIO NETWORK,” an on-air and online initiative that gives everyday voters from the swing state a platform to make their voices heard.

Beginning with the first debate on Wednesday, October 3 at 8pm ET and continuing with each subsequent debate, coverage will kick off with a pre-debate call-in show hosted by WNYC’s Peabody Award-winning public affairs host BRIAN LEHRER. He will be joined by local journalists from the participating stations, political analysts, and of course, voters. The program will be available to a local and national audience on WNYC 93.9 FM and AM 820, as well as on www.wnyc.org. “SWING STATE RADIO NETWORK” will be followed by NPR coverage of the debate.

Online during each debate, WNYC’s political site www.ItsAFreeCountry.org will host and moderate alive chat (with video feed), bringing together hosts, reporters, bloggers and voters for a witty, communal and informative experience. ANNA SALE, WNYC’s political correspondent who has reported from the swing states, will be on hand for every live chat, joining the first one live from Denver where she will be covering the debate.

Stations participating in the Swing State Radio Network include: WUSF in Tampa, WMFE in Orlando, WDET in Detroit, WFAE in Charlotte, WOSU in Columbus, WCPN in Cleveland, and the statewide networks of Wisconsin Public Radio and New Hampshire Public Radio.

For further information about WNYC’s political coverage, please visit: www.itsafreecountry.org.