WSMR 89.1 FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The signal for WUSF 89.7 covers a very large territory. The tower and transmitter are located in Riverview, Florida. The signal for WSMR 89.1 covers a smaller territory. The tower and transmitter are located in Nokomis, Florida. The translater, 103.9FM, which also carries the classical signal, is located on the USF Tampa campus and provides another opportunity for listening. All of our stations operate at full power, as permitted by the FCC.

If I cannot receive WSMR 89.1 on my radio, how else can I listen to the station?

There are several ways you can listen to classical music:

• By streaming through the WSMR website at www.wsmr.org or through the WUSF website at www.wusf.org
• By using our free iPhone app. We are also developing a DROID app.
• By using an HD Radio and tuning to WUSF 89.7². HD Radio is a free, CD quality service, but you need a special HD Radio tuner or receiver. HD Radio tuners are available starting at $39. Full HD radios start around $100.
• With internet radio if you have wi-fi.
• Here are some links to help you:

For iTunes/RealPlayer/VLC:
WUSF 89.7: http://mp3.wusf.usf.edu:8000/listen.pls
WSMR 89.1: http://w usfhd2.wusf.usf.edu:8064/listen.pls

For Windows Media Player:
WUSF 89.7: http://wusf.usf.edu/wusf_radio.asx
WSMR 89.1: http://www.wusf.usf.edu/WUSF_Radio_HD2.asx

iPhone or iPad App:
Download the app to listen: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wusf-public-broadcasting/id379686477?mt=8

Why can I hear WSMR 89.1 in my car but not in my home?

If you can hear the station in your car while sitting in your driveway, an outdoor antenna or antenna in your attic may help you receive a stronger signal.

WUSF Public Media changed the format on WUSF 89.7 and purchased WSMR 89.1 and 103.9 in order to double the amount of public radio programming for the audience. The format on WUSF 89.7 is news and information - with all night jazz and WSMR 89.1 and 103.9 are all classical music programming.

During the past several years, we have conducted research with our listeners to determine the listening needs and preferences of our audiences. In addition, Arbitron, the national radio ratings corporation, reports that news/talk stations remain the most listened to public radio format and capture nearly half of all public radio's listening audience.

In the state of Florida in the past 4 years, mixed format public radio stations in Jacksonville, Orlando, Gainesville, Miami and Fort Myers have dropped thier classical music programming in favor of all news and information formats. Only WUSF has made the commitment to continue broadcasting classical music by purchasing an additional station.

All contributions made to WUSF Public Media and its various entities, such as WUSF 89.7, WUSF TV and WSMR 89.1, are processed by the USF Foundation. Separate accounts have been set up for WUSF 89.7 and WSMR 89.1, as well as for WUSF TV. All three entities have separate revenue and expense budgets. We have separate fundraising campaigns for WUSF 89.7, WSMR 89.1 and for WUSF TV.

Our on-air staff is employed by WUSF Public Media, and as such they are in some way involved in all the media platforms under that umbrella. So you will occasionally hear our classical announcers on WUSF 89.7 and also on WUSF TV. Conversely, you will hear WUSF 89.7 hosts on WSMR 89.1 and WUSF TV. This can be attributed to the talent and versatility of our on-air staff, as well as the necessity to be as efficient as possible.

WUSF Public Media receives revenue from various sources.

• WUSF 89.7 and WUSF TV receive federal support through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and state funding through the Florida Department of Education in the form of Community Service Grants. In addition the stations receive corporate and non-profit sponsorships, support from the University of South Florida, membership (from individuals), major gifts (more than $1000) and grants.


• WSMR is not eligible for federal funds because the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is not providing community service grant funds to new stations in markets where a public radio station already exists.


• WSMR is not eligible for a community service grant from the State of Florida because a station must be qualified to receive a CPB grant in order to receive state funds. Since WSMR is not eligibile for CPB funds, it is not eligible for state funds.

WUSF Public Media is the home of WUSF 89.7, WUSF TV and WSMR 89.1 and 103.9. All of our staff members are employees of WUSF Public Media and you will hear the voices of our announcers on both radio stations and on our TV stations. In addition, we have a single membership and development department, a single business office, a single engineering department and a single administrative team to manage all of our media platforms.

Since WSMR 89.1 is not eligible for federal or state funds/grants, how does WUSF Public Media pay for the operations, staff and programming for the station?

Our budget for WSMR 89.1 is based on contributions from listeners and corporate and non-profit sponsorships. These revenues will be spent to acquire programs, to pay announcer salaries and other expenses directly attributable to WSMR and our classical music production.