WRCJ-FM
WRCJ-FM is a classical/jazz FM radio station in Detroit, Michigan. The station operates on 90.9 MHz and is the only Classical Music station in Detroit. The Detroit Educational Television Foundation, owners of PBS member station WTVS, operates the public radio station for license holder Detroit Classical and Jazz Educational Radio LLC, which is owned by the Stanley and Judith Frankel Family Foundation.
 | |
| City | Detroit, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Detroit, MI/Windsor, ON |
| Frequency | 90.9 MHz |
| Branding | 90.9 WRCJ |
| Slogan | Classical Days, Jazzy Nights |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classical/Jazz |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Stanley and Judith Frankel Family Foundation (Detroit Classical and Jazz Educational Radio LLC) |
| Operator | Detroit Educational Television Foundation |
| History | |
First air date | January 8, 1948 |
Former call signs | WDTR-FM (10/7/82-7/1/04) WDTR (1/8/48-10/7/82) |
Call sign meaning | We are Classical & Jazz |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 6056 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 42,000 watts |
| HAAT | 165 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 42°22′25″N 83°06′50″W |
| Translator(s) | W248CC (97.5 MHz, Ecorse) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | http://www.wrcjfm.org/ |
History
WRCJ went on the air for the first time on January 8, 1948 as WDTR as a service of Detroit Public Schools. It was Michigan's first educational FM station. By the dawn of the 21st century, the station's programming consisted largely of urban contemporary music with public affairs programs concerning the school district and a variety of specialty shows, including the "Old 'n' Gold" rare oldies show, Safe and Secure Detroit-a show dedicated to Public Safety and Personal Security after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, and the Sunday big band/nostalgia showcase "Somewhere In Time". WDTR changed its call letters to WRCJ on July 1, 2004, and the station cut back its broadcast time to 8AM-5PM weekdays only. At the same time, the school district announced it would draft a contract with a third party to operate the station while the school district continued to own the frequency. Accordingly, they put out an RFP (Request for Proposal), stipulating the station's format change to classical and jazz, to which several area organizations responded, including WUOM and WTVS. In April 2005, the Detroit Public Schools announced that Detroit Public TV would take control of WRCJ in July. The change happened at noon on August 1, 2005. On January 11, 2017 it was announced that Detroit Public Schools would sell the station's license to the non-profit Detroit Classical and Jazz Educational Radio LLC, an entity owned by the Stanley and Judith Frankel Family Foundation, for $6 million. The deal received FCC approval on March 1 of that year; the new ownership maintained the operating agreement with Detroit Public TV.
Airstaff
In addition to Dave Wagner, Peter Whorf, Jack Goggin, Maxine Michaels, John Penney and Linda Yohn, substitute hosts include Ron Nolan, Davis Gloff, Cecelia Sharpe, Judy Adams, and Carl Grapentine, long time morning host at WFMT in Chicago.
External links
- WRCJ in the FCC's FM station database
- WRCJ on Radio-Locator
- WRCJ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
- FCC History Cards for WRCJ