Wikipedia

WTSR

For the radio station at Towson University that had same name, see XTSR.

WTSR
Broadcast area
Frequency91.3 MHz
Programming
FormatCollege radio
AffiliationsPacifica Radio Network
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
September 1966; 58 years ago (1966-09)
Former frequencies
89.7 MHz (1966–1972)
Call sign meaning
"Trenton State Radio"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID67625
ClassA
ERP1,500 watts
HAAT11 meters (36 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
40°16′17″N 74°46′53″W / 40.2715°N 74.7815°W / 40.2715; -74.7815
Links
Public license information
Websitewtsr.org

WTSR (91.3 FM) is a student-run non-commercial radio station broadcasting from The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College), servicing Mercer County and Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The station's call letters originally reflected the college's former name: "Trenton State Radio".

History

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In June 1966, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the college permission to use 89.7 FM at a power of 10 watts under the callsign WTSR.[2] WTSR first went on the air on October 26, 1966, from two studios in Armstrong Hall following a ceremony from then-new college president Dr. Virgil W. Gillenwater.[3][4] In March 1968 the radio station moved from Armstrong into Kendall Hall.[5]

On November 1, 1974, following months of testing, WTSR changed frequency to 91.3 FM when the station was granted an increase in power by the FCC to broadcast at 1,500 watts.[6] This upgrade provided the station with a 30-mile broadcast radius and the capability to reach a potential audience of 750,000 to 800,000 listeners. Following a stint to The Brower Student Center, WTSR moved into brand new facilities inside Kendall Hall at the beginning of the 1993–94 academic year.[7]

During the mid-1980s the station was part of the WWDE or 2WD Family until another split helped move it to its current place. The station began broadcasting over the internet in late February 2007.

Programming

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The station features a mix of indie music, rock, and specialty programming. Its official music format is "new alternative variety". Between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm the station features its "Dayside" programming, which is designed to help promote up-and-coming artists as well as provide a home to bands not often heard on commercial radio. The introduction of the "Dayside" format in 1996 helped bring the station notoriety amongst the college radio community and establish it as one of the more influential stations in the college radio ranks. The music sent to the station is sorted and some are placed in the "highs", or music that is in high demand by promoters (often bands who have a small following or are just getting started, etc.). After a few weeks in the highs, the albums are then moved in to the "lows" and eventually to the "backwall". In any given "Dayside" show, DJs are required to play a variety of "highs", "lows", "backwalls" and "opens" (any album already in the station). This format promotes music that is generally not played on other non-college radio stations. This is what led to the station's slogan, "Open Your Mind".

Between 6:00 pm and midnight, the station offers a variety of specialty programming that consists of shows featuring folk/world, synth-pop, modern rock, metal, reggae, oldies, gospel, and many more. The show lineup changes every semester depending on student DJs and Community Volunteers.

In 2011 the Trenton Thunder, then the Double A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced WTSR as the new flagship station of the Trenton Thunder Radio Network.[8] The agreement saw WTSR broadcast all Thunder Eastern League regular season games and playoff games. In 2017, the Thunder announced a new broadcast deal with WNJE.[9]

Charting

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WTSR reports Top 30 and Loud Rock charts weekly to CMJ as well as being part of the magazine's select group of "Core Reporters". Previously WTSR reported charts to Gavin Magazine before that publication's demise in 2002.

Management

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WTSR is completely student-run consisting of two boards: the Executive Board (e-board) and the board of directors. The e-board is made up of the Station Manager, Operations Manager, and the Program Manager. The board of directors includes the rest of the board, for a total of 11 student members who operate the station along with the general manager.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WTSR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Trenton State to Operate FM Station". The Times (Trenton). June 28, 1966. p. 6. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Trenton State Going on the Air". The Central New Jersey Home News. October 23, 1966. p. 29. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "WTSR Radio On At Trenton State". The Times (Trenton). October 27, 1966. p. 20. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "TSC Student Radio Gets New Quarters". The Times (Trenton). March 3, 1968. p. 28. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Action Line". The Times (Trenton). November 22, 1974. p. 42. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Williams, Kerry (December 4, 1993). "The quest to air alternative music is paramount at TSC". The Times (Trenton). p. 20. Retrieved August 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "WTSR 91.3 FM Becomes New Flagship Station of the Thunder Radio Network". MiLB.com. February 23, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  9. ^ Fybush, Scott (April 14, 2017). "NERW 4/17/17: Unpacking the Repack". Fybush.com. An update to last week's Baseball on the Radio – the class AA Trenton Thunder have a new radio deal this season that puts the team on WNJE (920 Trenton). When "920 the Jersey" is tied up with weekday Fox Sports Radio coverage, conflicts will move to WCHR (1040 Flemington).
  10. ^ "Contact Us - WTSR 91.3FM". wtsr.org. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012.
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