WELH
Encyclopedia
WELH is a radio station
owned by The Wheeler School
of Providence, Rhode Island
. Originally signing on in February 1995 with a modern rock
format programmed by student D.J.s as "Extreme 88", and later offering programming from various groups (including Brown University
, Rhode Island College
, the Wheeler School itself, and community groups), today WELH broadcasts programming from Rhode Island's NPR, as it has since October 8, 2011. Its main studio is located on school grounds, at 216 Hope St. in Providence; however, as the flagship station of Rhode Island's NPR, virtually all programming originates at the network's studios at Union Station
in downtown Providence.
which had broadcast on WELH and streaming on http://www.bsrlive.com. It grew out of "WBRU
-AM" (a carrier current station on the Brown University
campus) in 1997 as a noncommercial and educational alternative to WBRU's primary commercially-operated station for students at Brown University, and in 2003 it became a joint student-community radio
station. In 2008, mtvU
nominated BSR as one of the top radio stations in the country. BSR's involvement with WELH was discontinued on July 31, 2011 as part of its transition to being the flagship of Rhode Island's NPR; its programming continues as an Internet radio
station.
" was an original partner of WELH, formerly sending a signal from the college's studios to WELH on weekday nights and weekends. Much of WELH's broadcast studio was purchased by "WXIN" as part of a mutual broadcast agreement. Only veteran "WXIN" DJs were permitted to have a show on WELH. The agreement began shortly after WELH beat "WXIN" in the acquisition of a broadcast license (both had applied for the license from the FCC to broadcast on 88.1 in the late 1980s). In the late 1990s, "WXIN" members shared airtime with WELH on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sundays, and by the early 2000s "WXIN" only broadcast on the weekends (and occasionally weekdays during the summer).
Over time, Brown University's student radio bought out WXIN's airtime, limiting Rhode Island College's use of the station to Sundays. By 2007, Brown bought the remainder of the airtime, effectively removing WXIN's involvement from WELH. This air time was later filled by a Latino block until Noon and an Italian block from Noon-9 p.m.
public radio service, airing its programming from 3 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekdays and from 3 a.m.–noon on weekends. When the station became the flagship station of Rhode Island's NPR, LPR's programming moved to a 24-hour clearance on WRNI
(1290 AM), Rhode Island Public Radio's original Providence station; this move allowed LPR to qualify for Corporation for Public Broadcasting
funding.
(channel 6) permanently moved to UHF channel 49 for digital broadcasts. The move has removed a roadblock for increasing the power of WELH on the 88.1 frequency. According to the FCC database, WELH has applied for and received a construction permit to upgrade their transmitting facilities from 150 watts to 4,000 watts. The upgraded power and antenna will double the current coverage area and improve reception in metropolitan Providence.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
owned by The Wheeler School
Wheeler School
The Wheeler School is a coeducational independent day school located on the East Side of Providence, Rhode Island, United States. The school serves students from the nursery level through twelfth-grade.- Mary C. Wheeler :...
of Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. Originally signing on in February 1995 with a modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
format programmed by student D.J.s as "Extreme 88", and later offering programming from various groups (including Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College is a nationally ranked, coeducational, state-supported comprehensive college founded in 1854, located in Providence, Rhode Island, USA...
, the Wheeler School itself, and community groups), today WELH broadcasts programming from Rhode Island's NPR, as it has since October 8, 2011. Its main studio is located on school grounds, at 216 Hope St. in Providence; however, as the flagship station of Rhode Island's NPR, virtually all programming originates at the network's studios at Union Station
Union Station (Providence)
Union Station describes two distinct defunct train stations in Providence, Rhode Island.The original Union Station was Providence's first, opening in 1847 to accommodate the needs of the newly thriving city. It was considered "a brilliant example of Romanesque architecture" in its time, and the...
in downtown Providence.
Brown Student and Community Radio
Brown Student and Community Radio (BSR) is a freeform, student- and community-radio station in Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
which had broadcast on WELH and streaming on http://www.bsrlive.com. It grew out of "WBRU
WBRU
WBRU is a commercial alternative rock radio station in Providence, Rhode Island that broadcasts on 95.5 FM. It was the first student-owned-and-operated campus radio station in the United States when it started as the Brown Network at Brown University in 1936...
-AM" (a carrier current station on the Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
campus) in 1997 as a noncommercial and educational alternative to WBRU's primary commercially-operated station for students at Brown University, and in 2003 it became a joint student-community radio
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
station. In 2008, mtvU
MtvU
mtvU is a division of Viacom's MTV Networks which produces a 24-hour television channel that is available on more than 750 college and university campuses across the United States, as well as several digital cable packages...
nominated BSR as one of the top radio stations in the country. BSR's involvement with WELH was discontinued on July 31, 2011 as part of its transition to being the flagship of Rhode Island's NPR; its programming continues as an Internet radio
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
station.
Rhode Island College Radio
Rhode Island College Radio, "WXINWXIN (FM)
For the licensed station with the actual callsign assigned by the F.C.C., see WXIN .WXIN is the student campus radio broadcast service of Rhode Island College. WXIN operates a part 15 FM transmitter on the property of Rhode Island College, in Providence, RI, USA...
" was an original partner of WELH, formerly sending a signal from the college's studios to WELH on weekday nights and weekends. Much of WELH's broadcast studio was purchased by "WXIN" as part of a mutual broadcast agreement. Only veteran "WXIN" DJs were permitted to have a show on WELH. The agreement began shortly after WELH beat "WXIN" in the acquisition of a broadcast license (both had applied for the license from the FCC to broadcast on 88.1 in the late 1980s). In the late 1990s, "WXIN" members shared airtime with WELH on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sundays, and by the early 2000s "WXIN" only broadcast on the weekends (and occasionally weekdays during the summer).
Over time, Brown University's student radio bought out WXIN's airtime, limiting Rhode Island College's use of the station to Sundays. By 2007, Brown bought the remainder of the airtime, effectively removing WXIN's involvement from WELH. This air time was later filled by a Latino block until Noon and an Italian block from Noon-9 p.m.
Latino Public Radio
WELH was the original home for Latino Public Radio, a Spanish-languageSpanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
public radio service, airing its programming from 3 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekdays and from 3 a.m.–noon on weekends. When the station became the flagship station of Rhode Island's NPR, LPR's programming moved to a 24-hour clearance on WRNI
WRNI (AM)
WRNI is a radio station in Providence, Rhode Island broadcasting Spanish-language public radio programming. It is owned by Rhode Island Public Radio, but brokers its airtime to Latino Public Radio.-History:...
(1290 AM), Rhode Island Public Radio's original Providence station; this move allowed LPR to qualify for Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a non-profit corporation created by an act of the United States Congress, funded by the United States’ federal government to promote public broadcasting...
funding.
Power increase
In early 2009, WLNE-TVWLNE-TV
WLNE-TV is the ABC-affiliated television station for Rhode Island and the South Coast of Massachusetts. It is licensed to New Bedford, Massachusetts, but is headquartered in and operates from studios at 10 Orms Street in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It is one of two major Rhode Island...
(channel 6) permanently moved to UHF channel 49 for digital broadcasts. The move has removed a roadblock for increasing the power of WELH on the 88.1 frequency. According to the FCC database, WELH has applied for and received a construction permit to upgrade their transmitting facilities from 150 watts to 4,000 watts. The upgraded power and antenna will double the current coverage area and improve reception in metropolitan Providence.
External links
- Rhode Island's NPR website
- Brown Student Radio website (information on B.S.R. & WELH).
- 1995 legal ID (scroll down to WELH).
- Rhode Island College radio on WELH website (page is dated 2004).