Jennifer, Eric and Paul have some college radio news to review, but first they pull back the curtain to survey the state of affairs in Radio Survivorland. They note some recent attention from The A.V. Club and Podnews along with a nice uptick in podcast audience as they reflect on the importance of sticking with and your niche, and how passion for that niche can build a like-minded community over time.

Sad news comes from the University of the South, which just turned in its license for WUTS-FM to the FCC, apparently prompted by outsized and unrealistic fears of a massive fine for public file violations. Jennifer puts these fears in stark perspective, as the reality is much less dire. The job of the FCC, Paul comments, is to keep stations on the air, and Jennifer observes that the Commission has worked with many college stations to bring them into compliance. Yet, there’s no indication WUTS got good advice or ever reached out to the FCC.

Happier news comes from the University of Illinois, where former cable radio station WBML – “Where Black Media Lives” – appears poised for a comeback.

• The AVClub reviews episode #232 – Documenting & Preserving Radio at HBCUs (6th review down)
• Podcast #232 – Documenting & Preserving Radio at HBCUs
• Podnews gives a tip of the hat to episode #231 with Eric Nuzum
• The unedited bonus version of the Eric Nuzum interview, in which the guest helps Eric Klein frame how the interview should go
• Podcast #145 – Hip-Hop Radio Archive
• Podcast #152 – The Longest Running Hip-Hop Radio Show in The World?
• Jennifer’s Radio World cover story, “KSFP Highlights Journalism, Public Affairs“
• Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference 2020
• College Radio Watch: WUTS-FM Turns Back License, the Return of WBML and More News

Photo by Rots Marie-Hélène on Unsplash

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