WFSS

WFSS
City Fayetteville, North Carolina
Broadcast area Fayetteville
Frequency 91.9 MHz
Format Public Radio
Power 100,000 Watts
Class C1
Transmitter coordinates 35°04′22″N 78°53′27″W / 35.07278°N 78.89083°W / 35.07278; -78.89083
Owner University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(WUNC Public Radio, LLC)
Website http://www.wunc.org/

WFSS (91.9 FM) is a radio station broadcasting National Public Radio (NPR) programming originating from WUNC. Owned by Fayetteville State University until May 2015, when it was purchased by the Chapel Hill-based public radio broadcaster, WFSS programmed jazz as well as an eclectic mix of formats on the weekend, including bluegrass, Gospel, blues, African and Latin music. Licensed to Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA, it serves the Fayetteville area and twelve surrounding counties.

History

Former logo

In 1977, WFSS began broadcasting at 10 watts and was operated by students using the station to prepare them for broadcasting careers. In February 1983, power was increased to 100,000 watts.[1] From the beginning the station played jazz[2] but went on to offer a wide variety of programming including blues, reggae and rhythm and blues. Joseph Ross, who came from Monrovia, Liberia, was the station manager from 1977 until the 1980s and again starting in 1995.[3]

In March 1993, in order to switch from 89.1 to 91.9 and reduce interference to WECT, WFSS signed off for five days and then came back at 30,000 watts before finally going back to 100,000 watts.[4]

On January 20, 2000, a winter storm caused significant damage to broadcasting equipment, and WFSS came back days later at 60 watts. The return to full power happened May 5 after $45,000 in repairs.[5][2]

Funding reductions since 2009 caused the station to lose money, and it soon became apparent that it was no longer viable as a standalone NPR member. On May 13, 2015, Fayetteville State trustees voted to sell WFSS to WUNC Public Radio, LLC for $1.35 million. Though the sale still required Federal Communications Commission approval, WFSS began simulcasting WUNC-FM at 10 A.M. the same day.[1] The sale was consummated on November 24, 2015.

References

  1. 1 2 Futch, Michael (May 14, 2015). "FSU sells radio station to WUNC Public Radio". The Fayetteville Observer.
  2. 1 2 Pritchard, Catherine (February 17, 2000). "Jazz use traditional at WFSS". The Fayetteville Observer.
  3. ↑ Futch, Michael (August 25, 1995). "WFSS Pioneer Is Back -- For Now, at Least". The Fayetteville Observer.
  4. ↑ "FSU's Public Radio Station Back On The Air". The Fayetteville Observer. March 25, 1993.
  5. ↑ Futch, Michael (May 14, 2000). "With the push of a button, it's 'Jesus' in Spanish". The Fayetteville Observer.


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