Perhaps you have tuned your radio dial to 90.7 FM. This is WFUV. The station is a cornerstone of New York’s radio landscape. WFUV is more than just a radio station. It is a community hub. It connects listeners through a shared love of music and culture.
WFUV first went on the air in 1947. Fordham University founded it. The station’s call letters stand for Fordham University’s Voice. For many years WFUV was run by students. In the late 1980s it transitioned to a professional public station. WFUV became a professional noncommercial radio station in 1990.
WFUV is one of three NPR member stations in New York City. Its studios are on Fordham’s Bronx campus. The antenna is atop Montefiore Medical Center. WFUV broadcasts with 47000 watts. This reaches a wide audience.
WFUV’s mission includes training Fordham students. Students gain hands-on experience in news and sports programming. You might even hear them on the air.
WFUV is known for its adult album alternative format. This includes adult rock and singer-songwriters. You can also hear world music and Celtic tunes. WFUV was formerly branded as City Folk. As of January 2021 WFUV was the third most popular rock station in New York. It follows WAXQ and WNYL.
WFUV serves 375000 weekly listeners in the New York area. It also has 100000 monthly listeners worldwide online. WFUV is the most listened to noncommercial alternative music station in the United States.
WFUV airs specialty shows. These include folk music and early pop. You can also hear jazz. National programs on WFUV include World Cafe. Other shows are The Grateful Dead Hour and The Thistle and Shamrock. Since 1974 WFUV has aired Ceol na nGael. This is a Sunday tradition of Celtic music. WFUV also features in-studio interviews and performances.
Early WFUV programming included classical and ethnic music. You could also hear university sports. Many chamber music and piano recitals were broadcast live. WFUV broadcast live classical concerts from The Ethical Culture Society in Manhattan.
WFUV faced closure in September 1968. Budget cuts threatened its existence. Students and staff organized rallies to save the station. In 2005 WFUV moved its studios to Keating Hall’s basement. This allowed for better equipment and more space.
Rita Houston was a longtime program director at WFUV. She championed artists like Brandi Carlile and Adele. Former staff include Pete Fornatale and Vin Scelsa. Alan Light was a music critic. He worked at the New York Times. He also contributed to WFUV. Rich Conaty presented The Big Broadcast. Binky Griptite hosted The Boogie Down.
WFUV boasts many notable alumni. Alan Alda and Bob Keeshan worked at WFUV. Charles Osgood and John Schaefer also graced its studios. Vin Scully helped found WFUV. Mike Breen and Michael Kay honed their skills here.
WFUV has received numerous awards. The Princeton Review consistently ranked it among the top college radio stations. WFUV is recognized for its news and public affairs coverage. Rita Houston won awards for her work as program director.
WFUV continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing media landscape. WFUV remains a vital voice in New York City. So next time you are searching for something new, tune into WFUV. Experience the sound of Fordham University’s Voice.