WLRN

What WLRN does

WLRN is a nonprofit public radio and television station serving South Florida, operating under the legal entity Friends of WLRN, Inc. from studios at 172 NE 15th St., Miami. Founded in 1948, the station is dually affiliated with NPR and PBS and distributes content across FM radio (WLRN NPR News and WLRN Classical), over-the-air television (WLRN-TV), ten or more named podcasts, a live streaming web player, and a video-on-demand property at video.wlrn.org. Its editorial footprint covers Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties, with vertical depth across government and politics, education, environment, health, immigration, the Americas, and local arts and culture, supplemented by a PolitiFact Florida fact-checking vertical. The station also maintains a long-form documentary unit and produces investigative series such as Detention By Design and Bright Lit Place.

WLRN's technology platform is conventional broadcast infrastructure layered with digital distribution: standard FM/TV transmission, Brightspot-hosted web CMS, podcast distribution through major podcast platforms, and a member portal hosted at wlrn.secureallegiance.com. There is no proprietary AI, no developer API, and no consumer mobile app; differentiation is editorial and brand-based rather than technology-based. Operational differentiation comes from the FCC broadcast license, the NPR/PBS affiliations, and a deep local reporting bench that produces original South Florida journalism at a level commercial outlets in the market do not match.

WLRN's revenue model is a four-stream nonprofit public media model. The largest stream is individual membership and recurring donations, processed through donate.wlrn.org and on-air pledge drives, with WLRN Passport functioning as a premium donor tier with extended streaming access. The second stream is corporate sponsorship and underwriting sold through underwriters.wlrn.org and the Corporate Circle program, generating B2B revenue in exchange for on-air and digital recognition. The third and fourth streams are vehicle donations (via careasy.org) and planned giving (via FreeWill partnership and bequests), which diversify donor acquisition beyond the pledge cart. The station's go-to-market is community-led: membership campaigns, station tours, events, and email newsletters drive recurring giving, while NPR/PBS syndication and a PolitiFact partnership lend national credibility. The station's near-term commercial challenge is the loss of over $3 million in federal and state support, which has elevated the importance of the individual-donor and corporate-underwriting streams.

Name

WLRN

Legal name

Friends of WLRN, Inc.

Website

https://wlrn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WLRN is a nonprofit public radio and television station in Miami, dually affiliated with NPR and PBS, serving South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties) with local news, classical and news radio, PBS television, and a portfolio of more than ten podcasts, funded primarily through individual memberships and corporate underwriting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

National Public Radio Networks & Member Stations (NPR-style) (MPABADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public/Nonprofit Radio Networks (NPR-style) (MPABABAB), Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus) (MPAIAEAB), News Talk Radio & Current Affairs Stations (MPABAIAI), National Public Television Networks & Member Stations (PBS-style) (MPABADAA)

Keywords

• Public radio broadcasting
• Television broadcasting
• Podcast production
• Local news reporting
• Public media services

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership and Individual Donations: WLRN relies heavily on listener/member contributions, membership drives, and one-time donations. Donations are processed through donate.wlrn.org and the pledge cart system. WLRN has lost over $3 million in federal and state support, making individual giving critical.
2. Corporate Sponsorship and Underwriting: Corporate sponsorship and underwriter partnerships are sold via underwriters.wlrn.org. Sponsors receive on-air recognition and digital visibility. The Corporate Circle program offers premium sponsorship tiers.
3. Vehicle and Planned Giving: WLRN accepts vehicle donations (via careasy.org), planned giving (bequests), and wills through FreeWill partnership. These create long-term donor relationships and diversified revenue.
4. WLRN Passport (Premium Membership): A membership benefit offering extended streaming and on-demand content access, similar to PBS Passport, providing a tiered premium donor experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WLRN is a nonprofit public media station that broadcasts NPR news radio, classical music programming, and PBS television content to South Florida. The organization also produces original local journalism, investigative reporting, documentaries, and a portfolio of 10+ podcasts, distributing content across broadcast radio, broadcast television, live streaming, and on-demand digital platforms.

Product overview

WLRN (WLRN Public Media) is a public radio and television station affiliated with NPR and PBS, offering a multi-platform media portfolio consisting of radio broadcasting (WLRN Radio with NPR News and Classical programming), television broadcasting (WLRN Television with PBS content and local documentaries), and on-demand digital content (WLRN Podcasts). The organization provides comprehensive local news coverage across topics including government, politics, education, environment, health, and immigration, supplemented by membership programs (WLRN Passport) and the PolitiFact Florida fact-checking partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WLRN Public Media: The primary brand name for the radio and television station serving South Florida
• Friends of WLRN

Products and services

• WLRN Radio WLRN's flagship radio broadcasting service featuring NPR News programming, WLRN Classical music programming, and live radio streaming for South Florida audiences.
• WLRN Television
• WLRN Podcasts On-demand audio programming including 10+ named podcasts such as The Florida Roundup, The South Florida Roundup, History We Call Home, Keeper and Killer, Americas Decoded, Killer Train, Bright Lit Place, Detention By Design, Tallahassee Takeover, Folk & Acoustic Music, and The Public Storyteller.
• WLRN Documentaries Locally produced documentary programming covering South Florida communities, history, and current events, broadcast on WLRN-TV and streamed on video.wlrn.org.
• WLRN Passport A premium membership benefit offering extended access to exclusive WLRN and PBS streaming and on-demand content for WLRN supporters.
• WLRN News Comprehensive local news coverage including government and politics, education, environment, law and justice, business and economy, arts and culture, health, weather, immigration, and special investigative reporting.
• PolitiFact Florida A fact-checking partnership with PolitiFact covering Florida politicians and claims, leveraging the Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact team's expertise in political fact-checking.

Named customers2 records

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

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Museum of Miami (formerly HistoryMiami)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2026WLRN covered the 'Freedom Plane National Tour' exhibit at the Museum of Miami, featuring rare founding documents including the Treaty of Paris. WLRN reporter Halle Vazquez covered the event, and the museum hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Miami officials and the National Archives Foundation.
• NPR (National Public Radio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLRN is an NPR member station, carrying NPR national news content and distributing NPR programs including 1A, Fresh Air, Here Now, and On Point. The NPR brand affiliation provides national journalism credibility and access to NPR's reporting resources.
• PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLRN is a PBS affiliate station broadcasting PBS television programming. WLRN Passport, a premium membership benefit offering extended streaming, is aligned with PBS's membership model. The PBS brand affiliation signals public media quality standards.
• PolitiFactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLRN has partnered with PolitiFact to fact-check Florida politicians, providing the 'PolitiFact Florida' section on its website. The Pulitzer Prize-winning team provides objective fact-checking of Florida political claims.
• Miami-Dade County Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWLRN covers the Miami-Dade County Public School Board and maintains a dedicated section for school board coverage. The school district logo appears on WLRN's site as a partner, suggesting a mutually beneficial educational reporting relationship.
• Central Florida Public MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWLRN collaborated with Central Florida Public Media for live broadcasts of The Florida Roundup, extending reach into Central Florida and co-producing content across Florida regions.
• FreeWillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWLRN partners with FreeWill for planned giving and estate planning tools, offering free will creation to donors. This partnership drives planned giving revenue and donor acquisition for WLRN.
• The MothminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWLRN promoted a Moth storytelling event ('Revenge' theme, July 16, 2026, Miami) on its homepage, suggesting a content partnership or co-marketing relationship for community storytelling events.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WPBT2 South Florida PBS: WLRN's sister PBS station in the South Florida market, operated by the same parent entity South Florida PBS. Directly comparable as a regional PBS affiliate with similar mission, sponsorship model, and programming slate in the same broadcast geography.
• WUSF Public Media: University of South Florida-licensed NPR and PBS member station serving the Tampa Bay area. Comparable as a Florida public radio/TV station with similar member-driven revenue model, multi-platform distribution, and local journalism focus.
• Central Florida Public Media (WMFE): Orlando-based NPR and PBS affiliate that already co-produces The Florida Roundup with WLRN. Directly comparable as a Florida public broadcaster with similar revenue model, multi-platform approach, and local news focus.
• WGCU Public Media: Florida Gulf Coast University-licensed NPR and PBS station serving Fort Myers and Southwest Florida. Comparable as a regional Florida public broadcaster with similar member-supported revenue model and multi-platform distribution strategy.
• WQCS Public Radio: Indian River State College-licensed NPR member station serving Florida's Treasure Coast. Comparable as a Florida public radio station with similar membership-driven revenue model and local journalism programming.
• WJCT Public Media: NPR and PBS member station serving Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Comparable as a regional Florida public broadcaster with similar multi-platform distribution and member-supported business model.
• WUCF TV: University of Central Florida-licensed PBS station serving the Orlando market. Comparable as a Florida public broadcaster with university affiliation, similar educational programming and member-supported revenue model.

Broad incumbents

• WNYC Public Radio: Large-scale New York public radio station and one of the most prominent NPR affiliates in the U.S. Comparable as a noncommercial NPR member station with multi-platform distribution (radio, podcasts, digital) and a member-supported revenue model at a larger scale than WLRN.
• KCRW: Santa Monica College-licensed NPR affiliate serving the Los Angeles market with strong podcast and music programming. Comparable as a noncommercial public radio station with a diversified revenue model (membership, underwriting, events) similar to WLRN's approach.

Others

• NPR (National Public Radio): The national network of which WLRN is a member station. Comparable as the upstream syndicator and brand that underwrites WLRN's NPR News programming and provides national credibility, but not a direct competitor since WLRN provides the local layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wlrn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WLRN
• Facebookfacebook.com/WLRNmedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wlrn
• Instagraminstagram.com/wlrn
• Pinterestpinterest.com/https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VavkgOVBPzjfwQ4bws1m

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 WLRN