On Monday, I shared my report from my visit to college radio station WVKR at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. My 148th radio station tour and my 101st college radio station tour, it was a fascinating visit. In addition to all of the interesting music, programming, and fun decor; I was struck by the station’s longtime show Beyond the Wall: New York Prison Talk Radio.
Listening to College Radio from Behind Bars
Learning that prisoners from eight nearby correctional facilities tune into the show really brought into focus for me the cluster of prisons in the Hudson Valley area. Back when I was on the air at Pomona College radio station KSPC (see my tour report) DJs regularly got calls and letters from prisoners. My understanding was that listeners tuned in from one nearby “men’s colony” in Chino, California. I was aware that the station’s music shows were enjoyed and appreciated by prisoners and it was typical to see fan letters posted on the station’s bulletin board.
I’ve heard from folks at other college radio stations about prison listeners and have also been impressed by other prison-themed radio shows across the country. An excellent panel at the 2013 “What is Radio?” conference delved into this topic. We also covered a prison radio-themed art installation on Radio Survivor episode 147. From that episode, I gained a greater appreciation for how communication is restricted in prisons and the powerful role that radio can play in connecting prisoners with families and the outside world.
KTCU is a New Radio Survivor Affiliate Station
Another college radio station is airing the syndicated Radio Survivor show. Welcome to Texas Christian University’s radio station KTCU-FM. Starting this Sunday, September 30, tune to hear the program every week at 4pm on 88.7 FM in Fort Worth, Texas. Our affiliates page has the full list of stations and broadcast schedule. Want to air Radio Survivor on your station? Learn more here.
More College Radio News
Profiles
Radio Station Visit #148: WVKR at Vassar College (Radio Survivor)
Better Know a College Radio Station: WPRB (Bandcamp Daily)
Programming
Something Cool about WRMU: We Can Play YOUR Music (The Dynamo)
Radio Program Brings Understanding of Diversity (Mankato Free Press)
Workshop in Radio Production Showcase (My Met Media)
Why Marry a Hungarian Woman? (Hungarian Free Press)
Off Topic Brings Zazz to WRFH Airwaves (Hillsdale Collegian)
History
On this Day in 1993: College Radio Staff Plays Hard, Promotes Harder (Auburn Citizen)
Looking Back: WXOU’s 20 Year Battle (The Oakland Press)
Awards and Accolades
XLR Radio GM Honored with Alumni Award (Journal-Gazette and Times Courier)
New Zealand’s 10 Best Community-College Radio Stations (Happy)
WPSC Awarded Non-Commercial Station of the Year by NAB (NAB)
Events
College Radio Day Announces Joan Jett and Kenny Laguna as CRD 2018 Ambassadors (PR Newswire)
KHDX Celebrates 45 Years in Campus Radio (Hendrix College)
Alums
FAMU Grad Creates Women in Radio (The Famuan Online)
New Talent Buyer at Hardly Strictly Knows What He is Up Against (San Francisco Chronicle)
A Look Behind the Scenes of “Maury” (Business Insider)
MiLB Broadcaster of the Year: Tim Heiman (Ballpark Digest)
Industry
Do College Kids Listen to Radio? (Radio Ink)
