Whitworth FM

Whitworth FM, known as Spokane's Pirate Radio or W.FM, is a non-commercial college radio station specializing in indie, alternative rock, and electronica music. The Spokane-based station broadcasts out of the Hixon Union Building (or 'HUB') at Whitworth University.

The station is entirely student-run, from the leadership team to the DJs. Student programming is the focus of the station. Students can do a format show entirely based on promotional music or have their own specialty program. On September 16, 2012, W.FM started Student Sports Broadcasting. The station strives for creative professionalism with their students, to best serve the community at large. The student staff is part of ASWU, the student body government at Whitworth University. The leadership team is made up of Whitworth students. This team includes a general manager, music director, and web manager.

The history of the station dates back to September 18, 1950, as "KWC" (Whitworth College). Later, as KWRS, it broadcast at 90.3 MHz with an ERP of 16 Watts. The station decided to transition to online operations because of the lack of protection of their Class D license. Spokane Public Radio openly filed for the 90.3 frequency and KWRS chose not to upgrade their license years ago, thus leaving them open to losing their license. The license for KWRS was cancelled on June 4, 2009.

The staff since then have focused on improving the station, with a complete renovation in August 2012 and new equipment in 2011. W.FM faces a challenge with Whitworth FM, because many still refer to it as KWRS. W.FM believes that the future of radio is becoming limited, and that online broadcasting is the future and is similar to current online music providers such as Pandora Radio or Grooveshark. Spokane Public Radio acquired the 90.3 MHz allocation and launched KPBZ.


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