City Youngstown, Ohio Frequency 88.5 (MHz) Format Public radio | Branding Radio You Need to Know First air date October 23, 1969 ERP 50,000 watts | |
WYSU (88.5 FM, "Radio You Need to Know") is a National Public Radio member radio station. Licensed to serve Youngstown, Ohio, United States, the station is currently owned by Youngstown State University.
Contents
WYSU also hosts the Youngstown Radio Reading Service, which broadcasts on a subcarrier.
History
1967 •Don Elser, Steve Grcevich, and YSU President Albert Pugsley propose a fine arts radio station for Youngstown State University and the Mahoning Valley Community
1969 •At 10:00 a.m. October 23, WYSU-FM signs on the air at 88.5 MHZ as a charter member of National Public Radio, broadcasting 12 hours daily from its studios in room 310 of the former Valley Park Motel on Wick Avenue. Original staff members were: Steve Grcevich, Director of Telecommunications Bill Foster, Announcer/Record Librarian Polly Golden, Secretary Lew Moler, Chief Engineer Richard Stevens, Program Director •Began airing All Things Considered •Aired first edition of Folk Festival with Charles Darling
1971 •Became part of the first radio network using satellite delivery of programs
1972 •Aired first edition of Now’s The Time with Martin Berger
1973 •Began airing Saturday Night on Broadway with Don Elser
1974 •Began 18-hour broadcast day
1976 •Moved studios to newly built Cushwa Hall
1980 •Began 24-hour broadcast day •First on-air fundraiser
1985 •Morning Edition began •Robert Peterson named director
1987 •Bill Foster passes away •Barbara Krauss named announcer/producer
1988 •Ann Cliness named announcer/producer
1990 •Began summer bus excursions to Blossom Music Center
1991 •Began operation of new 50,000 watt transmitter with antenna moved to WKBN tower •Aired live coverage of the first Gulf War
1993 •Ashtabula translator began operation at 90.1 FM
1995 •New Wilmington translator began operation at 89.9
1996 •Added state-of-the-art digital editing equipment •Sponsored first Mad About The Arts •Automated overnight programs
1997 •Added political affairs program Commentary Cafe
1998 •Michael Cervone named announcer/producer •Improved New Wilmington signal by moving translator to 97.5 FM
2000 •First station-sponsored European tour: Great Britain •Gary Sexton named director of broadcasting •Added website & streaming audio •Initiated Robert W. Peterson Scholarship
2001 •David Luscher named associate director •Aired live coverage of 9/11 •Expanded news programming
2003 •Began broadcasting Youngstown 2010 simulcasts with PBS 45 &49 •Added A Prairie Home Companion
2004 •Installed digital equipment in the broadcast studios
2006 •Began first strategic planning process since station made its debut
2007 •Began broadcasting in HD (digital) •Began Lincoln Avenue community affairs program
2008 •Added all-classical HD channel •Added all-classical Internet stream
Translators
Template:Radio Translators