Providence Radio: Alternative WBRU Resurfaces On LPFM

The alternative rock music that used to air on 95.5 WBRU is back on the FM airwaves, for now.

According to WPRI-TV, a new, low-power FM station in Providence has assumed WBRU’s call letters and is currently broadcasting the station’s programming on 101.1 LPFM, a low-power station that covers the city of Providence and some surrounding areas.

It’s been a decade-long process for the group behind the new radio station, Brown Student and Community Radio (BSR). (BSR is a separate group from Brown Broadcasting Service Inc., the nonprofit entity that formerly owned 95.5  FM.) The FCC granted BSR a construction permit for the low-transmission tower back in 2014. That tower is now located in South Providence.

WBRU-LP 101.1 FN (100 watts)

BSR is partnering with the arts organization AS220 and a group called Providence Community Radio to create programming for the station. BBS funded construction of the transmission facility that carries the new non-commercial radio station; a spokesman said it cost about $20,000.

John McGarry, a Brown University alum and community member of BSR, said the station’s leaders are currently filling their airtime with WBRU’s online stream until their new programming gets off the ground. McGarry said the station will ultimately be “free form,” with a blend of news, music and other programming.

Although much of the WBRU programming airing now will be phased out over time, McGarry said, they have an agreement with WBRU and plan to maintain some of the alt-rock station’s shows including the Sunday “360” programming, which features hip-hop, soul and R&B music.

The alt-rock station ended its 51-year run on 95.5 FM in September, making way for Christian adult-contemporary music. The 95.5 signal was sold for $5.63 million to Educational Media Foundation (EMF), a California-based nonprofit. WBRU has said the money will be used for an endowment.