WELH

Last updated
WELH
Welh-wsb.png
WELH Transmitter.jpg
The WELH transmitter in Seekonk, Massachusetts
Broadcast area Providence metropolitan area
Frequency 88.1 MHz
BrandingWheeler School Broadcasting
Programming
Format Classic alternative
Ownership
Owner The Wheeler School
History
First air date
January 17, 1995
Former call signs
WUFG (1992–1993) [1]
Call sign meaning
"Wheeler"
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 66656
Class A
ERP 4,000 watts
HAAT 41 meters (135 ft)
Links
Public license information
Website www.wheelerschoolbroadcasting.org

WELH (88.1 FM) is a radio station owned by The Wheeler School of Providence, Rhode Island. Originally signing on in January 1995 with a pop alternative format and a line up of student DJs, WWKX veterans including Kickin Al Snape, a young Robby Bridges and others as "WELH: Taking Music to New Heights". In 1996 the station moved to a modern rock format programmed by student DJs as "Extreme 88", and later jazz and oldies, eventually offering programming from various groups (including Brown University, Rhode Island College, the Wheeler School itself, and community groups). From October 8, 2011 until September 30, 2021, WELH broadcast programming from Rhode Island Public Radio. [3] Beginning in October 2021, the station has broadcast a primarily classic alternative format supplemented by radio shows from Wheeler School students on weeknights and electronic dance music during portions of the weekend.

Contents

Its main studio is located on school grounds, at 216 Hope St. in Providence, however the transmitter is located in Seekonk, Massachusetts on the grounds of the "Wheeler Farm" (athletics complex).

Former programming

Brown Student & Community Radio

Brown Student and Community Radio (BSR) is a freeform, student- and community-radio station in Providence, Rhode Island which had broadcast on WELH and streaming. It grew out of "WBRU-AM" (a carrier current station on the Brown University campus) in 1997 as a noncommercial and educational alternative to WBRU's primary commercially operated station for students at Brown University, and in 2003 it became a joint student-community radio station. In 2008, mtvU nominated BSR as one of the top radio stations in the country. BSR's involvement with WELH was discontinued on July 31, 2011, as part of its transition to being the flagship of Rhode Island Public Radio; its programming continues as an Internet radio station. [4] [5] In conjunction with other community organizations, BSR acquired a low-power FM license in 2018 and now operates on WBRU-LP 101.1 FM in Providence. [6]

Rhode Island College Radio

Rhode Island College Radio, "WXIN" was an original partner of WELH, formerly sending a signal from the college's studios to WELH on weekday nights and weekends. Much of WELH's broadcast studio was purchased by "WXIN" as part of a mutual broadcast agreement. Only veteran "WXIN" DJs were permitted to have a show on WELH. The agreement began shortly after WELH beat "WXIN" in the acquisition of a broadcast license (both had applied for the license from the FCC to broadcast on 88.1 in the late 1980s). In the late 1990s, "WXIN" members shared airtime with WELH on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sundays, and by the early 2000s "WXIN" only broadcast on the weekends (and occasionally weekdays during the summer).

Over time, Brown University's student radio bought out WXIN's airtime, limiting Rhode Island College's use of the station to Sundays. By 2007, Brown bought the remainder of the airtime, effectively removing WXIN's involvement from WELH. This air time was later filled by a Latino block until Noon and an Italian block from Noon-9 p.m.

Latino Public Radio

WELH was the original home for Latino Public Radio, a Spanish-language public radio service, airing its programming from 3 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekdays and from 3 a.m.–noon on weekends. When the station became the flagship station of Rhode Island Public Radio, LPR's programming moved to a 24-hour clearance on WRNI (1290 AM), RIPR's original Providence station; this move allowed LPR to qualify for Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. [3]

Rhode Island Public Radio/The Public's Radio 89.3FM

In 2011 Rhode Island Public Radio signed a ten-year lease, beginning in October, for nearly all of the broadcast week on 88.1FM (student programming was aired for three hours Friday night, later moved to Sunday evenings). Thus WELH became the first-ever FM outlet for a local NPR news/talk format for Rhode Island. Later, in 2017, WELH lost its flagship status when RIPR bought WUMD in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and moved it to WLNE-TV's former tower in Tiverton as WNPN. However, WELH was still used to improve WNPN's coverage in the Providence area. In 2021 RIPR brought W275DA 102.9FM on the air in Providence, and the need for WELH in the network significantly lessened. RIPR decided not to renew the lease and WELH decided it would return to all-Wheeler School student programming. The changeover happened on September 30, 2021.

Current programming

Cutting Edge Classics

With the expiration of the Rhode Island Public Radio lease, WELH switched to a new "Cutting Edge Classics" format on October 1, 2021. [7] Writing in Providence Monthly, reporter Adam Hogue said of the station's format change, "The stars aligned to bring us WELH, a station that came seemingly out of nowhere to fill the alt-rock hole left when Brown University sold WBRU in 2017." [7] The "Cutting Edge Classics" format was conceived by David A. Schiano, the program director and director of operations for WELH, and primarily follows a classic alternative format. [7] Wheeler School student programming is broadcast at 7:00 on weeknights, and includes student shows on topics such as music, sports, and films. "Beats After Dark" is broadcast on Friday and Saturday nights and features a variety of electronic dance music. The station is non-commercial, with the only advertising being public service announcements from the Ad Council. [7]

Power increase

In early 2009, WLNE-TV (channel 6) permanently moved to UHF channel 49 for digital broadcasts. The move removed a roadblock for increasing the power of WELH on the 88.1 frequency. As a result, WELH increased from 150 watts to 4,000 watts. The upgraded power doubled the coverage area and improved reception in metropolitan Providence.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBUR-FM</span> Public radio station in Boston

WBUR-FM is a public radio station located in Boston, Massachusetts, owned by Boston University. Its programming is also known as WBUR News. The station is the largest of three NPR member stations in Boston, along with WGBH and WUMB-FM and produces several nationally distributed programs, including On Point, Here and Now and Open Source. WBUR previously produced Car Talk, Only a Game, and The Connection. RadioBoston, launched in 2007, is its only purely local show. WBUR's positioning statement is "Boston's NPR News Station". The station's transmitter is located in Needham, while its studio is located on the Boston University campus.

WMVY is a non-commercial community-oriented radio station based in the town of Tisbury, Massachusetts, and licensed to serve Edgartown, both on the island of Martha's Vineyard. The station is owned by Friends of Mvyradio, Inc., and broadcasts an adult album alternative format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLNE-TV</span> ABC affiliate in New Bedford, Massachusetts

WLNE-TV is a television station licensed to New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States, serving as the ABC affiliate for the Providence, Rhode Island, area. The station is owned by Standard Media, and maintains studios in the Orms Building in downtown Providence; its transmitter is based in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.

WBRU is an internet radio station based in Providence, Rhode Island. The station is owned and operated by Brown Broadcasting Service, an independent non-profit organization, and is primarily staffed by students from Brown University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSNE-FM</span> Radio station in Massachusetts, United States

WSNE-FM is a commercial radio station, licensed to Taunton, Massachusetts, serving Southeastern Massachusetts and the Providence metropolitan area. It is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and broadcasts a hot adult contemporary radio format branded Now 93.3. Its studios and offices are on Oxford Street in Providence. The station carries the syndicated On Air with Ryan Seacrest in afternoons. Several of the other shifts are voicetracked by DJs working at other iHeart stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheeler School</span> Private school in Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Wheeler School is a private school located on the East Side of Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The school serves students from the nursery level through twelfth-grade.

WHJJ is a commercial radio station in Providence, Rhode Island. It carries a talk radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Its studios and offices are on Oxford Street in Providence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRIU</span> Radio station at the University of Rhode Island

WRIU is a non-commercial radio station broadcasting a college radio format. Licensed to Kingston, Rhode Island, United States, the station serves the greater Rhode Island area. The station is owned by University of Rhode Island. The broadcast area reaches almost all of Rhode Island, and portions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Long Island. WRIU began broadcasting on February 16, 1964, on 91.1 MHz with a power of 10 watts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEAN-FM</span> Radio station in Rhode Island, United States

WEAN-FM is a radio station licensed to Wakefield-Peacedale, Rhode Island. The station is owned by Cumulus Media, and airs a news-talk format. WEAN-FM is a full-time simulcast of WPRO in Providence, serving as WPRO's satellite in southern Rhode Island. Operations are based at WPRO's studios in East Providence.

WRGP is the student-run radio station of Florida International University in Miami, Florida, United States. WRGP broadcasts on 88.1 MHz from a transmitter site in rural Miami-Dade County at 17107 SW 248 Street and from rebroadcasters on the two largest FIU campuses: W237CP (95.3 MHz) at the main Modesto A. Maidique Campus, where the station's studios are located in the Graham Center, and W245BF (96.9 MHz) on the Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Public's Radio</span> Public radio network serving Rhode Island

Rhode Island Public Radio, doing business as The Public's Radio, is the NPR member radio network for the state of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Its studios are in the historic Union Station in downtown Providence. The network airs a format of news and talk from NPR, APM, PRX and other sources, such as Morning Edition, On Point, KERA's Think and All Things Considered, as well as extensive local news coverage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPVD</span> Radio station in Providence, Rhode Island

WPVD is a public radio station in Providence, Rhode Island. It is owned by Rhode Island Public Radio. The station simulcasts WNPN 89.3 FM.

WJMF is an FM radio station in Smithfield, Rhode Island, owned by Bryant University. The station's primary channel is a classical music station simulcasting WCRB from Boston. It serves the Providence area. WJMF also operates an HD2 channel run by Bryant University students; from 1973 until 2011, this service was heard on its primary channel. The station has over 40 shows and more than 100 DJs. It plays a variety of music ranging from alternative to talk to Top 40. It is also known for hosting local political debates, interviews with athletes, and having talk radio shows. It also broadcasts games of the Bryant University Division I athletic teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBLQ (AM)</span> Radio station in Rhode Island, United States

WBLQ is a radio station licensed to serve Westerly, Rhode Island. The station is owned by DiPonti Communications. Its programming is also carried on FM translator W276DF (103.1).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDOM</span> Radio station at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island

WDOM is a radio station licensed to Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The station is owned by Providence College and broadcasts from studios and a transmitter on the campus.

"WXIN" is the student campus radio broadcast service of Rhode Island College. It operates a part 15 FM transmitter on the property of Rhode Island College, in North Providence, Rhode Island, United States. In addition, "WXIN" rebroadcasts its programming in the form of a webcast over the Internet through streaming service providers Live365, Ustream, and Streamyard. The webcast is also picked up and played over speakers at various locations throughout the campus. The station also does podcasting through the name "NIXM" and can be found on Spotify and Soundcloud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNPN</span> The Publics Radio station in Newport, Rhode Island

WNPN is a radio station broadcasting an NPR news/talk format. It is the flagship broadcast outlet for The Public's Radio. Its official community of license is Newport, Rhode Island, but from a tall tower in Tiverton the signal covers most of Rhode Island and the South Coast of Massachusetts. It also has repeater stations WNPE in Narragansett Pier and WPVD in Providence. The network provides the sole local public radio outlet for Rhode Island.

WLVO is a radio station broadcasting a contemporary Christian music format as an affiliate of the K-Love network. Licensed to serve Providence, Rhode Island, United States, it serves the Providence metropolitan area. It first began broadcasting in 1955 under the call sign WPFM, and from 1966 until 2017 operated under the ownership of Brown Broadcasting Service as alternative rock radio station WBRU. The station is currently owned by the Educational Media Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNPE</span> The Publics Radio station in Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island

WNPE is a public radio station, providing programming from The Public's Radio to southern Rhode Island from its transmitter at Narragansett Pier. It was the first FM transmitter in the network. Prior to operating noncommercially, the 102.7 facility was a commercial radio station from its sign-on in 1990 to 2007.

WVVX-LP is a radio station licensed to serve the community of Providence, Rhode Island. The station is owned by Providence Community Radio. It airs a community radio format, and operates on the 101.1 FM frequency in a timeshare arrangement with WBRU-LP and WFOO-LP. WVVX-LP's hours on the frequency are on Wednesdays from 6 to 10PM and Thursdays from 12 noon to 6PM local time.

References

  1. Callsign history for WELH.
  2. "Facility Technical Data for WELH". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. 1 2 Ziner, Karen Lee (October 7, 2011). "R.I. Latino radio station going 24/7 in new place". The Providence Journal . Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  4. "Brown student radio loses FM home". Providence Business News . July 27, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  5. Harrison, Elisabeth (October 10, 2011). "Changes ahead for radio in Rhode Island". WRNI.org. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  6. "About | Brown Student & Community Radio". BSR Live.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Hogue, Adam (April 29, 2022). "Alt-Rock Listeners Rejoice: WELH Providence 88.1 FM is Here: Students from The Wheeler School fill the classic cutting edge radio void". Providence Monthly. Retrieved 2023-04-22.

41°51′29″N71°19′05″W / 41.858°N 71.318°W / 41.858; -71.318