On this week’s Radio Survivor show/podcast we take a close look at how community and college radio stations are adjusting to the ever-changing conditions of broadcasting during the coronavirus pandemic. The episode was recorded on March 13, 2020 as some campuses were just at the start of closures.
San Francisco Bay Area Shelter in Place and College Radio
And now, as of midnight on March 17, most counties in the San Francisco Bay Area have ordered residents to “shelter in place” until at least April 7. Only “essential” activities are allowed, which includes media and radio. In response, several college radio stations in the Bay Area are now running automated programming. Stanford University’s college radio station KZSU (see my 2009 tour report) has suspended live DJ shows, playing automated programming instead. A March 16 Twitter post from KZSU’s management expresses hope that this will expand to include “remote broadcasting, including podcasts and other content soon.”
Similarly, college radio station KALX at University of California, Berkeley is running curated automated programming as of March 17, writing, “Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19, the Bay Area’s shelter in place ordinance going into effect March 17, 2020, and the UC Berkeley statement, KALX programming will be fully automated for the next three weeks. We at KALX cherish our listeners and we are sad to make this announcement, but it is what we must do at this time. Please be assured we will still be providing curated, diverse programming created by humans.”
While Foothill College radio station KFJC in Los Altos Hills (where I DJ and volunteer) continues to have live DJs doing programming from the studio, it is beginning to air pre-recorded shows here and there as of the night of March 17. Normally, the student and volunteer-run college radio station has live DJs 24/7, 365 days a year.
College Radio Stations Evolve Plans for Broadcasts
On March 13, I shared how some college radio stations had responded to campus closures and things have also changed considerably since then. Pitchfork reported on the status of some of the same collection of college radio stations on March 16.
As of this morning (Wednesday, March 18), even some of the live radio stalwarts have announced that they will be airing automation or pre-recorded shows. Drexel University’s WKDU in Philadelphia (see my tour) announced today that everyone there will be “working from home” to “focus on social distancing and keeping our DJs safe.” The station’s “robot-DJ system” will be utilized. I was pleased to see that WKDU is also working to stay engaged with listeners. Its post added, “…we will be launching loads of alternative content on our website, blog, social media and youtube channel! Look out for playlists, album reviews, instruction videos, interviews, and more.”
Similarly, Loyola Marymount University’s college radio station KXLU (see my tour) “will be switching to automated programming from March 18-April 1st,” per its statement on Instagram. The Los Angeles-based station will run “multi-genre playlists, new adds, KXLU live compilations, and previously-aired KXLU programming.”
Sadly, some college radio stations are shutting down completely, unable to produce programming remotely.
It’s a tough situation for many stations who pride themselves on airing live programming 24/7, but as restrictions from campuses, local/state/national authorities intensify, some are left with few options other than operating without live shows. WPIR Pratt Radio, the internet radio station at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, posted on Instagram last night, “we are closing the station until further notice, due to our inability to broadcast remotely, we are unable to continue with regularly scheduled programming, we hope to be back soon…”
College Radio Stations Share Tips for Broadcasting amid COVID-19
In order to help provide guidance for college radio stations who are scrambling to remain on-air during the COVID-19 outbreak, College Radio Foundation will be hosting a Zoom meeting, “College Radio and Coronavirus” on Thursday, March 19 at 2pm Eastern Time. According to its announcement, “This meeting will discuss ideas and strategies for college radio stations during this time, and is open to all college radio stations in the USA…Those joining the conference call will be invited to ask questions and share ideas and strategies of their own. If possible, questions are invited in advance…” Speakers will include members of the College Radio Foundation leadership as well as broadcast attorney David Oxenford.
Additionally, various organizations are compiling resources for radio stations. Here’s a sampling:
- Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources (REC Networks)
- COVID-19 Guidance for Stations (NFCB/for members only)
With radio continuing in some way, shape or forms, charting services are still taking playlist reports from college and community radio. North American College and Community Radio Charts (NACC) shared with its subscribers today, “…please feel free to encourage stations to continue to report weekly and to help us all band together to let the world know how important college and community radio and music continues to be, especially in times like these.”
More News
College Radio and Coronavirus
- FCC Locks the Front Door as Broadcasters Adapt to a Coronavirus World (Pillsbury CommLawCenter)
- The Radio Academy Postpones Radio Festival 2020 (RadioToday)
- Student Radio Conference 2020 Event Cancelled (RadioToday)
Profiles of Stations and Staff
College Radio History
- 1981 U2 Interview at Foothill College Radio Station KFJC (KFJC)
- Coronavirus: Major Events that Disrupted Sports over 100 Years (24/7 Sports)
Music Culture
- The Treasury of Claremont Music Launches (Claremont Courier)
Alumni
Awards and Accolades
- WIUX Named Best College Radio Station (The Media School, Indiana University Bloomington)
- UNK’s Austin Jacobsen Wins National Broadcasting Award (KTIC Radio)
- The Treasury of Claremont Music Launches (Claremont Courier)
