WUFT FM

WUFT-FM 89.1 is an NPR member radio station owned by the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, broadcasting news from NPR.

Contents

• Newscasts
• News staff
• References

UF has been involved in broadcasting for almost nine decades. It owns WRUF (850 AM and 103.7 FM), one of the oldest radio stations in the state, and sister television station WUFT-TV was the first public television station in the state outside Miami. Despite this pioneering role, UF was a relative latecomer to public radio. WUFT-FM didn't sign on until 1981, bringing NPR programming to one of the few areas of the state still without any public radio at all.

For most of its history, WUFT aired a mix of classical music and NPR news programming. On August 3, 2009, WUFT's programming was switched to mostly news and public affairs, while classical music was moved to WUFT's HD2 digital subchannel.

Since 1995, WUFT has also operated WJUF 90.1 FM, licensed to Inverness as a full-time repeater. For years, it was known as Nature Coast 90, but in 2010 rebranded as Florida's 89.1 along with its parent station.

WUFT broadcasts with 100,000 watts of effective power, and reaches the following counties in north-central Florida: Alachua, Union, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Clay, Columbia, Lafayette and Dixie. WJUF broadcasts with 20,000 watts of effective power, and reaches Sumter, Hernando, Citrus and Pasco counties.

WUFT also broadcasts in HD. The HD1 signal simulcasts the analog signal, HD2 features classical music programming 24-hours-a day, seven-days a week. WUFT broadcasts a Latin Top 40 music format Spanish language programming along on its HD3 channel, called "Ritmo Latino". Previously, the sub channel aired "WUFT Ahora" with Spanish language news programming from Radio Netherlands Worldwide.

WUFT broadcasts several live weekly call-in shows: Sikorski's Attic hosted by antiques expert John Sikorski, who answers listeners' questions about antiques and vintage collectibles; Conner Calling, featuring host Hank Conner talking to an array of authors; and Animal Airwaves - Live, hosted by Dana Hill, who interviews veterinarians from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. WUFT also has three weekly live music performance programs: Soul Circuit with Margi Hatch, Saturdays from 8 to 10 p.m. Previous programs include, On the Bridge with Kristen Wanner, Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m.; and Ballads and Blues with Steve Seipp, Sundays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.