Raleigh Radio: EMF To Acquire Non-Com WSHA-FM

Shaw University’s WSHA 88.9 FM, the first public radio station owned by a historically black college — and the go-to station for jazz, blues, reggae and gospel music in the Triangle — has been sold.

Shaw announced the sale in a news release as part of a plan to overhaul the school’s Department of Mass Communications.

Interim president Paulette Dillard said the sale is part of a plan to "provide a 21st century education for the students who elect to come to Shaw." The investment in the mass communications department is a way for the school "to improve the career possibilities, the educational programs — the things that attract students to our university, because first and foremost, we are a university," said Dillard.

The station’s 88.9 frequency will be transferred to the Educational Media Foundation, a nonprofit organization that operates radio networks specializing in adult contemporary Christian music. Dillard expects FCC approval of the sale to take about 90 days.

Dillard declined to disclose the sale price, but it will be public record once the deal is final.

WSHA 88.9 FM (50 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

In the meantime — for 90 days, at least — nothing will change for listeners. According to the deal described by Shaw, the school will retain ownership of the radio tower, WSHA call letters and broadcasting equipment. Dillard said the school will stream jazz over the internet from its website, shawu.edu/WSHA, but the details of that are still being finalized.