Typically when I’m interviewed by the media about the state of college radio, there’s an underlying assumption by the writer or publication that college radio is in a state of decline. Frequently, I feel like I’m taking a defensive stance, pointing out that radio listenership is still high, that hundreds of college radio stations still exist in the United States, and that students continue to be excited about the prospect of doing radio. For that reason, I was happy to chat with college radio station WUSC for its blog. I wax on with college radio optimism. Thanks to University of South Carolina-based WUSC for the opportunity!
In a similar vein, I gave feedback to historian Katherine Jewell as she was working on her Washington Post piece about the music industry and am pleased that she gives credit to both college radio and low power FM stations for keeping local radio relevant in 2017. The Radio Survivor mention was an added bonus. She writes,
Today, alternatives to the uniformity of corporate radio exist. While music journalists warn of the damage done by the sale of college stations such as WBRU, podcasts and websites such as Radio Survivor highlight college and community radio’s viability and diversity. Stations may be sold and radio consolidation may accelerate, but commercial and non-commercial FM, AM, low-power FM, Internet broadcasting and podcasts still provide community services beyond music discovery. The transformation and disappearance of prominent stations are troubling, but popular college stations do remain.
More College Radio News
New Radio Stations
Suffolk County Community College Launches Internet Radio Station (Newsday)
Suffolk’s First-Ever Student Radio Station Launches Nov 15 (Suffolk County Community College)
Cat-U Takeover: Catawba’s New Radio Source (The Pioneer)
Freeform community radio station KWNK born from College Radio Station Wolf Pack Radio (Reno News & Review)
SF Community Radio Set to Return to the Airwaves…Seven Years Later (The Bay City Beacon)
The State of College Radio in 2017
WUSC interview with Jennifer Waits on the State of College Radio (WUSC)
Why Musical Innovation will Continue, Even as Local Radio Disappears (Washington Post)
Edge Radio Profile of DJ Faye Curran (Edge Radio)
College Radio Profiles, Projects and Events
Better Know a College Radio Station: Duke’s WXDU (Bandcamp Daily)
Riot Grrrl Miranda Morris on Keeping College Alive and New KUSF ‘Zine (SF Station)
Radio Station KSAU Gives Students Hands-on Experience (The Pine Log)
Wireless Self-Expression: Community Radio Course in Limerick Empowers Marginalised (Limerick Leader)
WTJU Launches Online Store for the Holidays (Augusta Free Press)
Students to Get Free Airtime on Upload Radio (RadioToday)
NSEMC 2017: What a Weekend (CBI)
College Radio Programming
WTJU Interview Series “Commonwealth Legacies” Tells Stories of Full Lives (Daily Progress)
Andrew Newman’s Rebel Radio Show at Ole Miss (Hotty Toddy)
They Might be Giants Marathon on KMSU (Mankato Free Press)
Change the World: A National Radio Broadcast in Canada for Day of the Child (NCRA)
College Radio Awards and Accolades
Student Radio Awards: All the Winners (RadioToday, UK)
Marshall Radio Station Wins Station of the Year Award (Huntington News)
Cal Poly’s KCPR Named Among Best College Radio Stations (San Luis Obispo Tribune)
Smoke Radio Wins Three Student Radio Awards (University of Westminster, London)
URB Student Radio Takes Home Two Student Radio Association Awards (The SU University of Bath)
KTSW-FM Wins Two CBI Awards (Texas State University)
College Radio History
40 Years of Public Radio in Idaho, Including College Radio Roots (Idaho Statesman)
College Radio License Changes, Copyright Challenges
WHRW Faces Copyright Issues (Binghamton University Pipe Dream)
Furness College Transitioning FM License to Community Group (Cumbria Crack)
