Ever heard of a radio station that broke the rules? WETA-FM did just that. Right here in front of us stands a testament to audacious broadcasting.
WETA-FM 90.9 is a non-commercial public radio station. It serves the Washington metropolitan area. It broadcasts a classical music format. Its studios are actually in Arlington Virginia. The station’s history is quite fascinating.
Initially WETA-FM aired a mix of music. It played classical folk jazz and news. Then something truly unexpected happened. Around 2005 it briefly shifted to news and talk radio. However this was short-lived.
In 2007 WETA-FM made a dramatic switch. It completely changed to an all-classical music format. This wasn’t just a whim. It was part of a deal with another station WGMS. WGMS had played classical music for decades but was looking to sell. The deal involved WETA-FM taking over the classical music programming. The FCC even let WETA use WGMS’s call letters for a repeater station in Hagerstown Maryland.
The power of WETA-FM is remarkable. It’s a “superpower” station. This means it broadcasts with a higher power than typically allowed. WETA-FM boasts a whopping 75000 watts. This makes it the highest-powered FM station in the Washington market. It significantly exceeds the normal limits for its antenna height.
WETA-FM isn’t just about the music. It also has a long history of community service. Since 1974 it’s provided a subcarrier channel for the Metropolitan Washington Ear. This service provides audio readings of publications for the blind and visually impaired.
So next time you hear the rich sounds of classical music. Remember the story of WETA-FM. A station that defied expectations embraced change and continues to serve its community. It’s a local landmark. It’s a beacon of classical music in the heart of Washington DC. It’s a story worth remembering.