Power 96.5 Radio

What Power 96.5 Radio does

Power 96.5 Radio (legal entity WUFO) is a privately held, dual-frequency radio station operating on AM 1080 (WUFO) and FM 96.5 in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1948 as Buffalo's first Black radio station, the station is owned by founder Sheila L. Brown and operated under the Wufo Media umbrella. Its programming is built around R&B and throwback music formats with original local sports coverage via the Wufo Sports Report (featuring reporter Coach Muki), Buffalo Bills/Sabres/Bandits analysis, and community-oriented event programming.

The station's underlying technology stack is modest and third-party dependent: live audio streaming is delivered through Surfer Network, podcast distribution via Anchor.fm (also available on Spotify), native iOS and Android applications, and a content-managed website built by Vision Multimedia Group and Hi Mike Hi Tech. Distribution covers over-the-air broadcast (regional, single market), live digital streaming (global reach via web), mobile apps, and podcast on-demand channels. There is no proprietary tech IP, no in-house streaming infrastructure, and no disclosed data, AI, or analytics systems; the technology layer is essentially commodity broadcast plus standardized digital distribution.

The business model is advertising-driven. The station sells on-air and digital ad inventory to local Western New York businesses and runs sponsored community events (Black Business Expo with BUDC, BMMCA, Juneteenth, WUFO EXPO). Secondary revenue comes from branded merchandise through the Wufo Shop (e-commerce). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Customer segments split between end-listeners (free, monetized via advertising) and a long tail of local SMB advertisers and event sponsors (Fowler's Chocolates, Black Willow Winery, Bengert Greenhouses, Salvatores Grand, Imperial Pizza Buffalo, Anderson's Custard, Home Depot North Buffalo, Buffalo AKG, and others). The company has 11–50 employees and is headquartered in Buffalo, NY.

Name

Power 96.5 Radio

Legal name

WUFO

Website

https://power965radio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Power 96.5 Radio (WUFO 1080AM) is a privately held Buffalo, NY dual-frequency R&B and throwback music radio station, founded in 1948 as Buffalo's first Black radio station, operating under Wufo Media with advertising-supported revenue and community-focused sports and event programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Talk/News/Sports Radio Networks & Syndication (MPAIAEAG), Network-Affiliated Local Radio Stations (News/Talk/Sports Syndication Affiliates) (MPABACAF), Non-Interactive Digital Radio (Lean-Back Streaming) (MPAIACAB)

Keywords

• Radio broadcasting
• Local radio station
• Sports coverage
• Podcast distribution
• Community broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Buffalo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising Sales: The station generates revenue through selling advertising slots to local businesses during radio broadcasts and digital content. The station has a dedicated 'Advertise With Us' page indicating an active advertising sales operation targeting local Buffalo and Western New York businesses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Power 96.5 Radio operates WUFO 1080AM and Power 96.5 FM in Buffalo, New York, delivering R&B and throwback music programming alongside local sports coverage and community news. The station distributes content through over-the-air AM/FM broadcast, live digital streaming via Surfer Network, iOS and Android mobile applications, and podcasts via Anchor.fm, while selling advertising to local Western New York businesses and branded merchandise through an online store.

Product overview

Power 96.5 Radio is a traditional radio broadcasting company operating WUFO 1080AM and Power 96.5 FM in Buffalo, New York. The company offers a single unified radio broadcasting product centered on R&B and throwback music programming. The product portfolio includes the core radio station (Power 96.5 Radio / WUFO 1080AM), a mobile application for iOS and Android enabling live streaming, the Wufo Sports Report sports content segment, the WUFO Podcast for on-demand audio content, and the Wufo Shop for branded merchandise sales. The primary value proposition is live radio entertainment and local sports coverage delivered via broadcast, mobile app, and podcast platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wufo Sports Report: Sports coverage segment focusing on Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and regional sports teams with reporter Coach Muki.

Products and services

• Power 96.5 Radio / WUFO 1080AM
• WUFO Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android devices that enables listeners to access live radio streams and station content on mobile devices.
• WUFO Podcast On-demand podcast content distributed through Anchor.fm and Spotify, featuring station programming, sports reporting, and entertainment segments for listeners worldwide.
• Wufo Shop Online e-commerce store selling branded apparel including hoodies and other station merchandise to listeners and supporters.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Surfer NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides live audio streaming infrastructure for WUFO and Power 96.5 stations. The streaming service at stream-02.surfernetwork.com enables global digital access to radio broadcasts.
• Anchor.fmcoreTechnology or IntegrationPodcast hosting platform for Wufo Podcast distribution. Enables on-demand access to radio content and sports reporting.
• Wufo Black Radio History CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization dedicated to preserving Black radio history in Buffalo. WUFO is Buffalo's first Black radio station and this partnership maintains the station's historical legacy.
• Vision Multimedia GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite design and development company credited with designing the power965radio.com website.
• Hi Mike Hi TechminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite developer credited with developing power965radio.com.
• Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWUFO live on-site and on-air at BUDC's 3rd Annual Black Business Expo, acknowledging Black History Month and highlighting local black businesses. Active partnership in community economic development initiatives.
• Various Local SponsorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal businesses including Fowler's Chocolates, Black Willow Winery, Bengert Greenhouses, Salvatores Grand, Imperial Pizza Buffalo, Anderson's Custard, and others sponsor station events and programming.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• iHeartMedia: Largest U.S. radio operator with multiple AM/FM stations in the Buffalo market (e.g., WKSE, WGRF). Operates a broad portfolio across markets; comparable as a terrestrial radio advertiser but with vastly greater scale, digital infrastructure (iHeartRadio), and cross-market diversification.
• Townsquare Media: Multi-market radio operator with Buffalo-area stations (e.g., WYRK, WBLK) and a similar advertising-driven small/mid-market radio model. Comparable as a local terrestrial broadcaster but with broader geographic and digital portfolio.
• Cumulus Media: Major U.S. radio broadcaster with stations across markets including Buffalo-area properties. Directly comparable as an AM/FM operator running local ad sales, but at a national scale with Westwood One syndication infrastructure.
• Audacy: Multi-platform audio entertainment company with radio stations, podcasts, and digital streaming. Comparable as a Buffalo-market competitor (e.g., WBEN, WTSS) with significantly larger digital and podcast distribution capabilities than WUFO.
• Entercom (now Audacy): Legacy major-market radio operator with Buffalo-area stations and significant sports content verticals (sports radio format). Comparable in delivering sports and music content via AM/FM but with substantially larger production and digital capabilities.

Direct peers

• Urban One: Largest African American-owned and operated broadcast company in the U.S., operating radio stations, TV, and digital platforms targeting Black audiences. Most directly comparable to WUFO in audience focus, cultural positioning, and community-driven content model, though operating at a much larger, multi-market scale.
• WBLK 93.7: Buffalo urban contemporary radio station with similar R&B/hip-hop format targeting African American audiences. Direct format and audience competitor to Power 96.5 in the same geographic market, though operating under a larger broadcast group.

Regional players

• WBFO 88.7: Buffalo-area NPR member radio station serving Western New York with news, talk, and music programming. Comparable as a Buffalo-market broadcast competitor for advertiser dollars and listener attention, though operating under a non-commercial public radio model.
• WDAS-FM (Philadelphia): Philadelphia's heritage Black music and information radio station, comparable to WUFO in cultural mission, format, and community role but operating in a different geography under iHeartMedia ownership.

Emerging players

• Spotify: Global audio streaming platform that distributes the Wufo Podcast and competes for the same R&B and throwback music listenership. Relevant as a distribution channel (WUFFO is on Spotify) and as the dominant substitute for over-the-air radio listening among younger demographics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4fqRdYkQitcjrmUAD9mfXi
• Facebookfacebook.com/Power965WNY
• Instagraminstagram.com/power965wny
• Xx.com/wufopower965wny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Power 96.5 Radio