WKDU

WKDU
City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Broadcast area Philadelphia
Frequency 91.7 MHz
Format College Radio
ERP 800 watts
HAAT 47.0 meters (154.2 ft)
Class A
Facility ID 17596
Transmitter coordinates 39°57′36.40594″N 75°11′25.64489″W / 39.9601127611°N 75.1904569139°W / 39.9601127611; -75.1904569139Coordinates: 39°57′36.40594″N 75°11′25.64489″W / 39.9601127611°N 75.1904569139°W / 39.9601127611; -75.1904569139
Callsign meaning WK Drexel University
Owner Drexel University
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.wkdu.org

WKDU is an award winning non-commercial college radio station in Philadelphia broadcasting on 91.7 FM. It is owned by Drexel University and operated by Drexel students, with several alumni among its on-air staff. It is the only free-format non-commercial FM station in the city of Philadelphia. Its transmitter is located atop Van Rensselaer Hall, a dormitory on the Drexel campus, in the University City section of Philadelphia. Its studio is in the basement of the Creese Student Center. WKDU was the 2010 and 2011 CMJ Station of the Year.

History

Starting as carrier current station WMAX in 1958 (and later WXDT), WKDU began FM broadcasting on Saturday, July 17, 1971.[1] In 1981, its power rating was raised from 10 watts to 110 watts, and in 1996, to 800 watts. WKDU originally shared time on its frequency with WPWT, a station established in the 1950s by Philadelphia Wireless Technical Institute. WPWT ceased operations in the late 1980s, allowing WKDU to extend its broadcast day to 24 hours on February 26, 1990. Previously, WKDU signed off between the hours of 2 PM to 10 PM.[2]

Notable past shows on WKDU include Sounds of Jerusalem (1978-1994)[3] and The Black Experience in Music (1972-).

In 2005, a large monetary donation helped WKDU purchase new studio equipment and refurbish its transmitter.

Programming

WKDU's musical format is free-form, meaning that playlists are dictated by the taste of the on-air DJs. On an average day, one might hear punk, electronica, indie rock, acid jazz, J-pop or metal. In 1984, a progressive requirement was created and implemented to the Free Format music programming policy by then Music Director, Ginny McCracken. Each DJ can play whatever they want but at least 1/3 of their music must be a "new release". A "new release" being defined as a musical recording single song in the station one month and an album of music in the station for 3 months. The top 40 playlist was then determined by the most played new releases, anarchically determined instead of the traditional music director dictatorship. This programming policy is still in place.

WKDU is highly regarded among Philadelphia's Caribbean community for the Saturday reggae programs, most of which have been running for over thirty years.

WKDU is also well known for its annual Electronic Music Marathon, an event that raises money for charities in the Philadelphia area. The Electronic Music Marathon ran from 1997-2007, then returned in Fall 2014 after a seven-year hiatus.[4]

Reggae Marathon

The WKDU Reggae Marathon has been held annually since 1984, during the Memorial Day Weekend.[5] This special program includes not just reggae, but other similar Caribbean genres, such as Soca.

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Triangle (The), v. 48, n. 31 (July 23rd, 1971).", Retrieved 6/18/15.
  2. ↑ WKDU 1990 Spring Program Guide, Page 2.
  3. ↑ "Triangle (The), v. 68, n. 35 (August 13, 1993)." Retrieved 6/18/15.
  4. ↑ "WKDU EMM 2014", Retrieved 6/18/15.
  5. ↑ WKDU Celebrates Its 18th Annual Memorial Day Reggae Marathon, Retrieved 5/28/16.
  6. 1 2 "2011 CMJ College Radio Awards". CMJ. 25 October 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Drexels Student-Run Radio Station Named Station of the Year". DrexelNow. 3 November 2010.
  8. ↑ "Best of Jamaica in Philadelphia 2009 Winners". 2009.
  9. ↑ "Best of Jamaica in Philadelphia 2008 Winners". 2008.
  10. ↑ "Best of Jamaica in Philadelphia 2007 Winners". 2007.
  11. ↑ "Best of Jamaica in Philadelphia 2006 Winners". 2006.
  12. ↑ "Best of Jamaica in Philadelphia 2005 Winners". 2005.
  13. ↑ "Best of Jamaica in Philadelphia 2003 Winners". 2004.
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