WETS-FM: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Public radio station in Johnson City, Tennessee}} |
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{{Infobox radio station |
{{Infobox radio station |
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| name = WETS-FM |
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| logo = WETS Logo.png |
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| image = |
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| city = [[Johnson City, Tennessee]] |
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| area = [[Tri-Cities, Tennessee]]-[[Virginia]] |
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| branding = ''WETS FM 89.5'' |
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| slogan = Public Radio for East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina |
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| format = [[Public radio]] - [[Talkradio|News - Talk]] |
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| subchannels = HD2: [[Americana (music)|Americana music]]<br>HD3: [[Classical music]]<br>HD4: [[Adult Album Alternative]] |
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| erp = 66,000 [[watt]]s |
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| haat = 692 meters (2,270 ft) |
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| class = C |
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| facility_id = 18253 |
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| callsign_meaning = '''W E'''ast '''T'''ennessee '''S'''tate |
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| former_callsigns = |
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| affiliations = [[National Public Radio]]<BR>[[Public Radio Exchange]]<BR>[[American Public Media]]<BR>[[Pacifica Radio]]<BR>[[BBC World Service]] |
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| owner = [[East Tennessee State University]] |
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| sister_stations = |
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| webcast = [https://wets-fm.streamguys1.com/live-1 Listen Live]<br>[https://wets-fm.streamguys1.com/live-2 Listen Live (HD2)]<br>[https://wets-fm.streamguys1.com/live-3 Listen Live (HD3)] |
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| website = {{url|https://www.wets.org/|wets.org}} |
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| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''WETS-FM''' (89.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is the [[National Public Radio]] member station for the [[Tri-Cities, Tennessee|Tri-Cities]] region of northeast [[Tennessee]] and southwest [[Virginia]]. |
'''WETS-FM''' (89.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is the [[National Public Radio]] [[network affiliate|member station]] for the [[Tri-Cities, Tennessee|Tri-Cities]] region of northeast [[Tennessee]] and southwest [[Virginia]]. It is a [[public radio]] [[radio station|station]] owned by [[East Tennessee State University]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=LOCALNEWS&ID=59144 |title=Listeners coming through for WETS fund raising drive |work=Johnson City Press |first=Sue |last=Guinn Legg |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070423130216/http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=LOCALNEWS&ID=59144 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-04-23}}</ref> WETS receives a little over half of its funding from listener contributions. It also receives public funding from federal ([[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]]) and government-funded university sources.<ref name="About WETS">{{cite web|url=http://www.wets.org/?BISKIT=3742316362&CONTEXT=cat&cat=16|title=About WETS-FM 89.5|accessdate = 2010-01-14}}</ref><ref name="NPR Finances">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/about/aboutnpr/publicradiofinances.html|title=Public radio finances|website=[[NPR]] |accessdate=2010-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319015536/http://www.npr.org/about/aboutnpr/publicradiofinances.html|archive-date=2012-03-19|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="WETS Finances">{{cite web|url=http://www.wets.org/?BISKIT=352074896&CONTEXT=cat&cat=10047|title=A Brief Overview of Public Broadcasting|accessdate = 2010-01-11}}</ref> It is [[city of license|licensed]] to [[Johnson City, Tennessee]], with studios on the ETSU campus. |
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WETS-FM is a [[list of broadcast station classes|Class C]] station. It has an [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) of 66,000 [[watt]]s. The [[transmitter]] is on Panhandle Road in [[Hunter, Tennessee]], amid the [[radio masts and towers|towers]] for other Tri-Cities FM and TV stations.<REF>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=wets&x=5&y=1&sr=Y&s=C Radio-Locator.com/WETS]</REF> |
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==Programming== |
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⚫ | On weekdays, WETS has a news, talk and information [[radio format|format]]. It carries national programs from NPR and other public radio networks, including ''[[Morning Edition]], [[All Things Considered]], [[Fresh Air]], [[1A (radio program)|1A]]'' and ''[[Here and Now (Boston)|Here and Now]]''. The airing of the liberal news show, ''[[Democracy Now!]]'', has proven to be controversial, since the Tri-Cities is largely a politically and culturally conservative region. As such, the station lost a number of members who objected to the program. However, the show has attracted a base of local supporters, who have formed a "Democracy Now Tri-Cities" group dedicated to keeping the program on the air. The [[BBC World Service]] is heard in late nights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesnews.net/article/3750448/democracy-now-a-rare-liberal-voice-in-conservative-net |title=Democracy Now! a rare liberal voice in conservative NET - Kingsport Times-News Online |publisher=Timesnews.net |date=2007-04-14 |accessdate=2010-02-09}}</ref> |
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On weekends, the station carries entertainment programming, including [[Americana (music)|Americana]] music, featuring local bands from southern [[Appalachia]]. It also carries music shows from public radio networks including ''[[The Thistle and Shamrock]], [[American Routes]], [[Mountain Stage]]'' and ''[[Hearts of Space]]''. Talk shows heard evenings and weekends include ''[[Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me]], It's Been A Minute, [[The Splendid Table]], [[Big Picture Science]], [[Rick Steves|Travel with Rick Steves]], [[A Way with Words]], [[This American Life]], New Dimensions, [[The Moth Radio Hour]]'' and ''[[TED Radio Hour|The TED Radio Hour]]''. The station also has a [[SHOUTcast]] [[webcast]] available on its web site. |
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⚫ | WETS |
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==History== |
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⚫ | As an annual |
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⚫ | WETS [[sign-on|signed on]] the air on {{Start date and age|February 24, 1974}}.<ref>[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1977/C%20Section%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201977%20P-6.pdf ''Broadcasting Yearbook 1977'' page C-195. Retrieved May 24, 2024.]</ref> The station has transmitted from a tower on [[Holston Mountain]] since 1981. It broadcasts from studios in Richard F. Ellis Hall. The hall was opened in 1988, dedicated to the station's first director in 1993. The studios are on the south side of ETSU's campus. Before 1988, it operated from a two-story frame house.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wets.org/index.cgi?CONTEXT=cat&cat=16 |title=About WETS-FM 89.5 |work=WETS.org |accessdate=2007-07-24 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220035/http://www.wets.org/index.cgi?CONTEXT=cat&cat=16 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-09-27}}</ref> |
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⚫ | When WETS-FM began broadcasting, it mostly played music. But as with other public radio stations affiliated with NPR, it has gradually reduced music and increased news and informational programming. On February 1, 2010, WETS changed its weekday format to all news and talk shows.<ref name="TimesNews0125">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9020079|title=WETS to switch weekday programming to news format|date=25 January 2010|publisher=[[Kingsport Times-News]]|accessdate=25 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="WETSHome">{{cite web|url=http://www.wets.org/|title=WETS Home Page|date=25 January 2010|publisher=WETS-FM|accessdate=25 January 2010}}</ref> In its first decade, the station aired [[classical music]] on weekday mornings and evenings, with [[Americana music]] in the afternoons, and a weekly [[blues]] program known as ''Blue Monday''. Most weekend programming, which still includes music, was not affected by this change.<ref name="WETSHome"/> |
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In the fall of 2011, WETS began broadcasting using [[HD Radio]] technology. In addition to the main analog transmission, it has several HD [[digital subchannel]]s. The first is a simulcast of the analog signal, the second is an all-Americana music channel, the third is an all-classical music channel.<ref name="WETSHD">{{cite web|url=http://www.wets.org/content/wets-fm-begin-hd-broadcasting-summer|title=WETS-FM To Begin HD Broadcasting This Summer|publisher=WETS-FM|accessdate=17 February 2011}}</ref> WETS was the first station in the Tri-Cities radio market to offer HD broadcasts. A fourth subchannel was added later, airing [[album adult alternative]] music. Most programming streams are also available on the website. |
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⚫ | As an annual [[fundraiser]], the station presents the ''Little Chicago Blues Festival'' at the Down Home Festival each spring.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.easttennessean.com/news/2006/05/01/Lifestyle/Annual.Little.Chicago.Blues.Festival.Comes.To.Down.Home.Hosts.16.Bands-1896878.shtml |title=Annual Little Chicago Blues Festival comes to Down Home, hosts 16 bands |work=East Tennessean |first=Jon |last=DeBerry |date=2006-05-01 |accessdate=2007-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=ENTERTAINMENT&ID=59256 |title=BLUE FRIDAY (SATURDAY, TOO) - Little Chicago festival continues as a variety of acts perform in support of WETS |work=Johnson City Press |first=Doug |last=Janz |date=2007-04-27 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071010131632/http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=ENTERTAINMENT&ID=59256 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-10-10}}</ref> WETS had been the home station of ''Your Weekly Constitutional'', a constitutional law show distributed by the [[Public Radio Exchange]] and produced in collaboration with [[Montpelier (Orange, Virginia)|Montpelier]].<ref>{{Cite web| title = PRX » Series » Your Weekly Constitutional (Subscribable)| work = PRX - Public Radio Exchange| accessdate = 2019-03-07| url = https://exchange.prx.org/series/34663-your-weekly-constitutional-subscribable}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{oweb}} |
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*{{FM station data|WETS}} |
* {{FM station data|18253|WETS-FM}} |
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{{East Tennessee State University}} |
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{{Tri-Cities TN / VA Radio}} |
{{Tri-Cities TN / VA Radio}} |
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{{NPR Tennessee}} |
{{NPR Tennessee}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{ |
{{Coord|36.434|N|82.135|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}} |
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[[Category:College radio stations in Tennessee|ETS-FM]] |
[[Category:College radio stations in Tennessee|ETS-FM]] |
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[[Category:NPR member stations]] |
[[Category:NPR member stations]] |
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[[Category:East Tennessee State University]] |
[[Category:East Tennessee State University]] |
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[[Category:1974 establishments in Tennessee]] |
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[[Category:Radio stations established in 1974]] |
Latest revision as of 21:16, 8 November 2024
Broadcast area | Tri-Cities, Tennessee-Virginia |
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Frequency | 89.5 MHz (HD Radio) |
Branding | WETS FM 89.5 |
Programming | |
Format | Public radio - News - Talk |
Subchannels | HD2: Americana music HD3: Classical music HD4: Adult Album Alternative |
Affiliations | National Public Radio Public Radio Exchange American Public Media Pacifica Radio BBC World Service |
Ownership | |
Owner | East Tennessee State University |
History | |
First air date | February 24, 1974 |
Call sign meaning | W East Tennessee State |
Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 18253 |
Class | C |
ERP | 66,000 watts |
HAAT | 692 meters (2,270 ft) |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Webcast | Listen Live Listen Live (HD2) Listen Live (HD3) |
Website | wets.org |
WETS-FM (89.5 FM) is the National Public Radio member station for the Tri-Cities region of northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. It is a public radio station owned by East Tennessee State University.[2] WETS receives a little over half of its funding from listener contributions. It also receives public funding from federal (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) and government-funded university sources.[3][4][5] It is licensed to Johnson City, Tennessee, with studios on the ETSU campus.
WETS-FM is a Class C station. It has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 66,000 watts. The transmitter is on Panhandle Road in Hunter, Tennessee, amid the towers for other Tri-Cities FM and TV stations.[6]
Programming
[edit]On weekdays, WETS has a news, talk and information format. It carries national programs from NPR and other public radio networks, including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, 1A and Here and Now. The airing of the liberal news show, Democracy Now!, has proven to be controversial, since the Tri-Cities is largely a politically and culturally conservative region. As such, the station lost a number of members who objected to the program. However, the show has attracted a base of local supporters, who have formed a "Democracy Now Tri-Cities" group dedicated to keeping the program on the air. The BBC World Service is heard in late nights.[7]
On weekends, the station carries entertainment programming, including Americana music, featuring local bands from southern Appalachia. It also carries music shows from public radio networks including The Thistle and Shamrock, American Routes, Mountain Stage and Hearts of Space. Talk shows heard evenings and weekends include Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, It's Been A Minute, The Splendid Table, Big Picture Science, Travel with Rick Steves, A Way with Words, This American Life, New Dimensions, The Moth Radio Hour and The TED Radio Hour. The station also has a SHOUTcast webcast available on its web site.
History
[edit]WETS signed on the air on February 24, 1974 .[8] The station has transmitted from a tower on Holston Mountain since 1981. It broadcasts from studios in Richard F. Ellis Hall. The hall was opened in 1988, dedicated to the station's first director in 1993. The studios are on the south side of ETSU's campus. Before 1988, it operated from a two-story frame house.[9]
When WETS-FM began broadcasting, it mostly played music. But as with other public radio stations affiliated with NPR, it has gradually reduced music and increased news and informational programming. On February 1, 2010, WETS changed its weekday format to all news and talk shows.[10][11] In its first decade, the station aired classical music on weekday mornings and evenings, with Americana music in the afternoons, and a weekly blues program known as Blue Monday. Most weekend programming, which still includes music, was not affected by this change.[11]
In the fall of 2011, WETS began broadcasting using HD Radio technology. In addition to the main analog transmission, it has several HD digital subchannels. The first is a simulcast of the analog signal, the second is an all-Americana music channel, the third is an all-classical music channel.[12] WETS was the first station in the Tri-Cities radio market to offer HD broadcasts. A fourth subchannel was added later, airing album adult alternative music. Most programming streams are also available on the website.
As an annual fundraiser, the station presents the Little Chicago Blues Festival at the Down Home Festival each spring.[13][14] WETS had been the home station of Your Weekly Constitutional, a constitutional law show distributed by the Public Radio Exchange and produced in collaboration with Montpelier.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WETS-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Guinn Legg, Sue (2007-04-11). "Listeners coming through for WETS fund raising drive". Johnson City Press. Archived from the original on 2007-04-23. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
- ^ "About WETS-FM 89.5". Retrieved 2010-01-14.
- ^ "Public radio finances". NPR. Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
- ^ "A Brief Overview of Public Broadcasting". Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/WETS
- ^ "Democracy Now! a rare liberal voice in conservative NET - Kingsport Times-News Online". Timesnews.net. 2007-04-14. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-195. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "About WETS-FM 89.5". WETS.org. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
- ^ "WETS to switch weekday programming to news format". Kingsport Times-News. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ^ a b "WETS Home Page". WETS-FM. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ^ "WETS-FM To Begin HD Broadcasting This Summer". WETS-FM. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
- ^ DeBerry, Jon (2006-05-01). "Annual Little Chicago Blues Festival comes to Down Home, hosts 16 bands". East Tennessean. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
- ^ Janz, Doug (2007-04-27). "BLUE FRIDAY (SATURDAY, TOO) - Little Chicago festival continues as a variety of acts perform in support of WETS". Johnson City Press. Archived from the original on 2007-10-10. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
- ^ "PRX » Series » Your Weekly Constitutional (Subscribable)". PRX - Public Radio Exchange. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Facility details for Facility ID 18253 (WETS-FM) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WETS-FM in Nielsen Audio's FM station database