Local CDs in college radio station WDCE studio. Photo: J. Waits

College Radio Watch: WETN Sale Finalized and More News

By Jennifer Waits on May 19, 2017 in College Radio, College Radio Survivor

I just learned that the sale of college radio station WETN has been finalized. You may recall that last fall I reported that Wheaton College was contemplating a sale of its FM license for college radio station WETN in Wheaton, Illinois. By December, it was announced that the 88.1 FM license would be sold to religious broadcaster EMF. Earlier this year, paperwork was filed with FCC, listing a purchase price of $150,000. That sale is now a done deal as of February 28, 2017 and as of March 1, the call letters have been changed to WAIW. This sadly ends the 70 year legacy of college radio at Wheaton College.

The most recent statement on the WETN website states,

In recent decades there has been decreasing student interest in the station, and the College’s academic programming no longer emphasizes radio broadcasting. Additionally, listening and viewing habits are now more directed to the internet for content. In light of these factors, the College has decided to sell the frequency operated by WETN-FM, 88.1 FM.

The College has now finalized an agreement with Educational Media Foundation (EMF) for this purchase. EMF operates the K-Love and Air1 radio formats around the country. This transfer occurred on February 28, 2016 [sic], and EMF will soon be sending its signal over the 88.1 FM frequency.”

Touring KLMU and KXLU at Loyola Marymount

For my latest college radio station tours, I visited two very different student-run radio stations at Loyola Marymount University: KLMU and KXLU. KXLU broadcasts all over Los Angeles over FM, with a roster of student and non-student DJs and just down the hall, KLMU is not only a training ground for KXLU, but also a haven for student creativity. This tours are my 136th and 137th radio station field trip reports!