91.3 WYEP
91.3 WYEP is a non-commercial public radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, broadcasting indie, classic rock, and diverse music programming to the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Operated by the non-profit Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, it is funded by listener donations, corporate underwriting, and public broadcasting grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What 91.3 WYEP does
91.3 WYEP is a non-commercial public radio station broadcasting at 91.3 FM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, operated by the Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation (PCBC), a 501(c)-style non-profit that also runs sister stations WESA (NPR news) and JazzWorks. Founded in 1974, the station targets the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and surrounding Southwestern Pennsylvania with a curated format spanning indie, classic rock, and diverse genres including programming dedicated to the African diaspora. The core technology stack combines traditional over-the-air FM broadcast with digital streaming infrastructure (web, mobile apps for iOS/Android, and smart speaker integration via Amazon Alexa and Google Home), backed by a digital music library of approximately 500,000 songs (roughly 2 terabytes) that has evolved from vinyl to CDs to digital storage over 50 years of operation.
WYEP generates revenue through three primary streams: recurring listener donations and membership (including annual membership drives and a special May fundraising campaign), corporate sponsorship and underwriting (brand positioning announcements and event sponsorships), and public broadcasting funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and related sources. The station also operates ticketed fundraisers such as the Hellbender Ball ($25/ticket). Beyond core radio broadcast, WYEP runs a portfolio of live event programs including the free annual Summer Music Festival at Schenley Plaza (since 1998, with UPMC Health Plan as 2023 presenting sponsor), the Hellbender Ball, and the Neighborhood Concert Series. Educational and talent-development programming includes the Reimagination Project (a teen recording initiative that has engaged 240+ high school students in partnership with The Church Recording Studio, YMCA Lighthouse Project, and the Grable Foundation since 2021) and Elevate the Underground (a monthly feature highlighting emerging Pittsburgh artists from the African diaspora).
WYEP serves a hybrid customer base: individual Pittsburgh-region listeners and donors (primary), local and national artists seeking exposure and performance venues, corporate underwriters seeking to reach an engaged community audience, and foundations and public arts funders supporting music education and cultural programming. The station is led by Station Manager Mike Sauter (also VP of Broadcasting at PCBC), with Program Director Liz Felix, Digital Director Katie Blackley, Director of Creative Services Brian Siewiorek, and on-air host Clara Kent. With 11-50 employees and 50+ years of operating history, WYEP functions as a community-supported cultural institution rather than a venture-backed growth business.
91.3 WYEP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 91.3 WYEP
- Legal name
- Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation
- Website
- https://wyep.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 91.3 WYEP is a non-commercial public radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, broadcasting indie, classic rock, and diverse music programming to the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Operated by the non-profit Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, it is funded by listener donations, corporate underwriting, and public broadcasting grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
91.3 WYEP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Independent Local Radio Stations (MPABACAD), Music Radio Networks (Format-Based) (MPABABAF), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)
Keywords
Where 91.3 WYEP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
91.3 WYEP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Listener Donations/Membership: Listener-supported public radio station funded through voluntary donations from community members, including annual membership drives
- Corporate Sponsorship & Underwriting: Revenue from businesses seeking brand positioning through underwriting announcements and event sponsorships, reaching community and business leaders
- Public Broadcasting Funds: Funding from Corporation for Public Broadcasting and related public media sources
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Summer Music Festival admission |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Hellbender Ball tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
91.3 WYEP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
91.3 WYEP is a non-commercial public radio station broadcasting curated indie, classic rock, and diverse music programming over FM at 91.3 MHz and via digital streaming, complemented by signature shows, in-studio live sessions, and community events. Beyond broadcasting, the station operates the Reimagination Project, a teen music education initiative providing professional studio recording experience, and hosts live community events including the Summer Music Festival, Hellbender Ball, and Neighborhood Concert Series.
Product overview
91.3 WYEP is a traditional FM radio station (part of Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation) offering a unified portfolio of broadcast radio programming, live events, and music education initiatives. The core offering is its radio station featuring curated indie and classic rock music, complemented by Live & Direct in-studio sessions, original programs (More Bounce, The Local 913, Essential Artist Series, Fresh Cuts, The Grooves), and signature events including the Summer Music Festival, Hellbender Ball, and Neighborhood Concert Series. The station also operates WYEP Reimagination, a teen recording education program, and Elevate the Underground, a feature segment showcasing emerging artists. All offerings interconnect through the station's mission to curate and champion diverse music experiences for the Pittsburgh region.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Reimagination Project: A teen recording project providing music education and studio recording experience for high school students in the Pittsburgh region
- Elevate the Underground
- More Bounce
- The Grooves
- The Local 913
- Essential Artist Series
Products and services
- 91.3 WYEP Radio Broadcast Non-commercial FM radio station broadcasting at 91.3 MHz in Pittsburgh, featuring curated indie, classic rock, and diverse music programming for the Pittsburgh region.
- More Bounce with Clara Kent Friday evening radio show (6-8 p.m.) celebrating music and culture from the African diaspora, featuring Alt-R&B, NeoSoul, Funk, Afrobeat, Reggae, Hip-Hop, and emerging-artist segments.
- The Grooves All-vinyl radio show hosted by Brian Siewiorek, airing Wednesdays from 10 p.m. to midnight, featuring music played from vinyl records.
- Live & Direct Sessions In-studio live performance sessions recorded at WYEP studios where artists perform and discuss their music for radio broadcast.
- The Local 913 Program highlighting Pittsburgh-area musicians and local music news, featuring interviews, live performances, and coverage of the regional music scene.
- Essential Artist Series Monthly spotlight program featuring essential artists in WYEP's music library to help expand listeners' musical discovery.
- Fresh Cuts Program showcasing new music releases, introducing listeners to emerging artists and recent releases across various genres.
- Elevate the Underground Monthly feature segment on More Bounce highlighting rising Pittsburgh artists from the African diaspora, featuring exclusive interviews, live music, and in-depth conversations about creative processes.
- WYEP Summer Music Festival Annual day-long free outdoor music festival held at Schenley Plaza in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, celebrating both national and Pittsburgh artists across multiple genres.
- The Hellbender Ball Annual costume ball event featuring Pittsburgh musicians performing as their favorite artists, held at Thunderbird Café & Music Hall with a costume contest.
- Neighborhood Concert Series Free outdoor neighborhood concert series bringing live music to various Pittsburgh communities, featuring local and regional artists at venues throughout the city.
- WYEP Reimagination Project Teen recording project providing high school students from the Pittsburgh region with professional studio experience, music industry education, masterclasses, and opportunities to record and release original music.
- WYEP Pittsburgh Concert Calendar Online calendar listing concerts and live music events in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region, featuring artists heard on the station.
Companies that use 91.3 WYEP
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
91.3 WYEP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
91.3 WYEP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.
- Helltown BrewingminorSponsor of the 2023 Hellbender Ball event at Thunderbird Café & Music Hall.
- Baum Blvd AutominorSponsor of the 2023 Hellbender Ball event.
- Dollar BankminorCorporate sponsor of the 2023 Hellbender Ball.
- UPMC Health PlanmajorPresenting sponsor of the 2023 WYEP Summer Music Festival, supporting independent radio programming and community initiatives in Pittsburgh. Part of UPMC Diversified Services, an affiliate of UPMC Health Plan.
- Pittsburgh Public TheatremajorSponsor of the 2023 WYEP Summer Music Festival supporting community cultural programming.
- Pennsylvania Council on the ArtsmajorState arts council providing funding support for the Summer Music Festival and WYEP's community music programming.
- Pittsburgh Parks ConservancycorePartner hosting the Summer Music Festival at Schenley Plaza since 2008, providing the venue for the annual day-long music celebration.
- BikePGHminorCommunity partner providing free bike valet services at the Summer Music Festival to encourage sustainable transportation.
- University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International AffairsminorSponsor of the 2023 WYEP Summer Music Festival supporting community cultural initiatives.
- Pittsburgh Regional TransitminorTransit authority sponsoring the Summer Music Festival supporting community access to public transportation.
- The Church Recording StudiocorePrimary recording studio partner for Reimagination Project, providing professional recording experience for teen artists. Dana Cannone serves as Executive Music Producer.
- YMCA Lighthouse ProjectcoreHomewood-based partner providing studio space and mentorship for Reimagination participants, particularly serving Black and Indigenous youth.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
91.3 WYEP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- WFMU: Long-running independent, listener-supported freeform radio station based in New Jersey. Highly comparable to WYEP as a non-commercial community station focused on diverse music discovery, programming independence, and donor-driven funding.
- WXPN 88.5 FM: University of Pennsylvania-operated public radio station serving the Philadelphia region with a similar indie/alternative format and membership-driven model. Comparable as a regional, listener-supported music discovery station.
- KUTX 98.9 FM: Austin-based public radio station with an Austin City Limits music discovery focus. Directly comparable to WYEP as a non-commercial station with curated indie programming and active live session content.
- KEXP 90.3 FM: Seattle-based non-commercial public radio station specializing in indie and alternative music with strong live session programming. Directly comparable to WYEP in format focus, listener-supported funding model, and emphasis on local artist discovery.
- KCRW 89.9 FM: Santa Monica-based public radio station known for eclectic music programming and digital streaming reach. Highly relevant peer given shared public radio funding model, eclectic format, and strong digital/streaming presence comparable to WYEP's distribution strategy.
- WESA 90.5 FM: Sister NPR news station operated by Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, the same parent as WYEP. Shares infrastructure, digital platforms, and fundraising apparatus, providing a direct operational peer for audience, sponsorship, and content benchmarks.
Broad incumbents
- WGBH 89.7 FM / WBUR: Boston-area public radio stations with much larger operational scale. Comparable in the public broadcasting funding and governance model, but operates at significantly larger audience and budget scale than WYEP.
Others
- Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation: The parent nonprofit of WYEP, WESA, and JazzWorks. Listed here for completeness as the umbrella entity governing WYEP's operations, fundraising, and shared services.
- WESA / JazzWorks: JazzWorks is a sister streaming jazz station operated by Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation alongside WYEP. Comparable as part of the same organizational portfolio, demonstrating format diversification under one nonprofit umbrella.
Regional players
- WDVE 102.5 FM: Pittsburgh-market commercial rock radio station. Comparable as a regional Pittsburgh broadcaster competing for the same listener base and local advertising dollars, though it operates under a commercial rather than public radio model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
91.3 WYEP social profiles
Digital presence91.3 WYEP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
91.3 WYEP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
91.3 WYEP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
91.3 WYEP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 91.3 WYEP
What does 91.3 WYEP do?
91.3 WYEP is a non-commercial public radio station broadcasting curated indie, classic rock, and diverse music programming over FM at 91.3 MHz and via digital streaming, complemented by signature shows, in-studio live sessions, and community events. Beyond broadcasting, the station operates the Reimagination Project, a teen music education initiative providing professional studio recording experience, and hosts live community events including the Summer Music Festival, Hellbender Ball, and Neighborhood Concert Series.
Is 91.3 WYEP a public or private company?
91.3 WYEP is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was 91.3 WYEP founded?
91.3 WYEP was founded in 1974. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 91.3 WYEP based?
91.3 WYEP is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does 91.3 WYEP make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Listener Donations/Membership is the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship & Underwriting and public Broadcasting Funds.
Who are 91.3 WYEP's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WFMU, WXPN 88.5 FM, KUTX 98.9 FM, KEXP 90.3 FM, KCRW 89.9 FM and WESA 90.5 FM. WGBH 89.7 FM / WBUR is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation and WESA / JazzWorks. WDVE 102.5 FM is listed as a regional player.
Does 91.3 WYEP have an API?
No public API is recorded for 91.3 WYEP.
What industry is 91.3 WYEP in?
91.3 WYEP's product category is Public Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAG, Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM), with a secondary code of MPABACAD, Independent Local Radio Stations. Its NAICS code is 51611 and its SIC code is 4832.