WCBN-FM

What WCBN-FM does

WCBN-FM is the University of Michigan's student-run, non-commercial freeform radio station, broadcasting 24/7 at 88.3 FM with a 200-watt transmitter from the basement of the Student Activities Building in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The station serves Washtenaw County and surrounding communities over the air, and extends its reach globally through online streaming (multiple MP3 bitrates and M3U playlist feeds), dedicated iOS and Android mobile applications, a two-week online show archive, and a WCBN Sports multimedia sub-brand on YouTube that covers Michigan Athletics. Programming is defined by a freeform format in which student DJs curate music across jazz, reggae, blues, hip-hop, country, rock, and other genres, drawing on the station's long-standing music library; the station also produces concert reviews, a community events calendar, and sports podcasts.

The station is licensed to the Regents of the University of Michigan and operates as a non-profit under university oversight, governed by a constitution and a board that includes student leadership (General Manager Mia Lambert, Assistant General Manager Mario Quaglia) and a university appointee (Mike Perini since 2017), with Chief Engineer Albert Dale serving as the FCC public file representative. Revenue is not commercially monetized; funding comes from University of Michigan institutional support, small-dollar donations routed through the university's giving platform (giving.umich.edu/wcbn-gift-fund), and an annual on-air fundraiser tradition dating to 1980. The station has been continuously operating for over 70 years, tracing its origins to a 1947 dorm-room FM transmitter and formal establishment as the Campus Broadcasting Network (WCBN-AM 650) in 1952; FM broadcasting launched on January 23, 1972, initially at 10 watts on 89.5 FM before moving to 88.3 FM in 1977 and upgrading to 200 watts in 1987 under FCC authorization.

Name

WCBN-FM

Legal name

WCBN-FM (licensed to the Regents of the University of Michigan)

Website

https://wcbn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WCBN-FM is a student-run, non-commercial freeform radio station at the University of Michigan, broadcasting 24/7 at 88.3 FM to Washtenaw County and streaming globally via web, iOS/Android apps, and archives. It is funded by university support and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WCBN-FM is a student-run freeform radio station that broadcasts 24/7 at 88.3 FM from the University of Michigan's Student Activities Building in Ann Arbor, Michigan, covering Washtenaw County and surrounding communities. The station's programming spans diverse music genres (jazz, reggae, blues, hip-hop, country, rock) curated by student DJs, with supplemental online streaming, dedicated mobile apps, and a sports division providing coverage of Michigan Athletics.

Product overview

WCBN-FM is a student-run freeform radio station operated by the University of Michigan, offering 24/7 broadcast services primarily through its core radio broadcasting product at 88.3 FM. The station complements its FM presence with online streaming capabilities available in multiple quality tiers, mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms, and a dedicated sports division (WCBN Sports) providing Michigan Athletics coverage. Additional services include show archives and an events calendar featuring local Ann Arbor music and cultural events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WCBN-FM Radio Broadcasting Student-run freeform radio station broadcasting 24/7 at 88.3 FM at 200 watts from the Student Activities Building in Ann Arbor, Michigan, serving Washtenaw County and surrounding communities with DJ-curated music programming.
• WCBN Online Streaming Live online radio streaming available worldwide via the wcbn.org website in multiple bitrate options (HD, HI, MID) using MP3 and M3U formats compatible with browsers, iTunes, VLC, and other media players.
• WCBN Mobile Applications Dedicated mobile apps for Android (Google Play Store) and iOS (Apple App Store) enabling listeners to access live WCBN broadcasts and content from their mobile devices.
• WCBN Sports The official student voice of Michigan Athletics providing live event broadcasts, weekly sports talk radio on 88.3 FM, and podcast series covering Michigan and broader sports content, with video available on the WCBN Sports YouTube channel.
• WCBN Archives Online archive system allowing listeners to access recordings of shows from the most recent two weeks, sortable by show name or by broadcast time (most recent first).

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WCBNSports
• Instagraminstagram.com/wcbn_fm
• Xx.com/wcbn_fm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 WCBN-FM