mephisto 97.6
mephisto 97.6 is a non-commercial local and training radio station operated by Universität Leipzig, broadcasting on FM 97.6 MHz in Leipzig and 24/7 via DAB+ and livestream. It serves young adults locally while training university students in crossmedia journalism.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersLeipzig, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What mephisto 97.6 does
mephisto 97.6 is a non-commercial local and training radio station operated by Universität Leipzig, broadcasting on UKW 97.6 MHz Monday through Friday in the Leipzig metropolitan area, with 24/7 coverage via DAB+ digital radio and a continuous web livestream. The station has operated continuously since May 31, 1995, when it became a pioneer nationwide as a university-operated local radio station where students are trained in a real broadcast environment. Content spans news, culture, music, science journalism, and audio arts ("Hörkunst"), produced by ~56 listed personnel — predominantly student volunteers working honorarily (ehrenamtlich) — organized into editorial desks covering daily news, culture, music, science, audio arts, online/social media, and PR, supervised by a program directorate of three professors led by Managing Program Director Prof. Dr. Christian Pentzold.
The underlying technology stack is a conventional crossmedia broadcast platform: FM transmission on 97.6 MHz, DAB+ digital radio, web-based audio streaming, podcast distribution via Spotify and Mixcloud, and a multi-platform social media presence (Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube). Physical infrastructure — studios, broadcast control, audio transmission codecs, database-based program scheduling, and mobile reporting technology — is managed by the University of Leipzig's Zentrum für Medienproduktion (ZMP).
The business model is structurally non-commercial: there is no advertising revenue. Operational funding comes from the SLM (Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien) for broadcast distribution and GEMA/GVL licensing fees; in-kind infrastructure and operational support from the University of Leipzig; donations via a university-administered account; and modest program fees — the Akademie training program operates on a "Pay What You Can" model between €0 and €60 per participant, and conferences charge €10–20 per attendee. The station's external positioning is reinforced by the Freundeskreis mephisto 97.6 e.V. alumni association, which represents more than 1,000 former volunteers across 30 years.
mephisto 97.6 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- mephisto 97.6
- Legal name
- Universität Leipzig
- Website
- https://mephisto976.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- mephisto 97.6 is a non-commercial local and training radio station operated by Universität Leipzig, broadcasting on FM 97.6 MHz in Leipzig and 24/7 via DAB+ and livestream. It serves young adults locally while training university students in crossmedia journalism.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
mephisto 97.6 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV) (MPABACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)
Keywords
Where mephisto 97.6 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leipzig
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
mephisto 97.6 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Non-commercial Broadcasting: mephisto 97.6 is a non-commercial station with no advertising revenue. The station receives funding from the Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien (SLM) for broadcasting costs on UKW and DAB+, as well as GEMA and GVL fees.
- University Funding: The University of Leipzig provides infrastructure (studios, equipment) through the Zentrum für Medienproduktion and additional financial support for events and training programs.
- Donations: The station accepts donations through a designated account at the University of Leipzig to financially support operations.
- Training Program Fees: The Akademie training program operates on a 'Pay What You Can' model with contributions between 0 and 60 euros to cover administrative costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | One time/ perpetual license | Akademie training program: 0-60 EUR contribution |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Conference admission: Regular 20 EUR, Reduced 10 EUR |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
mephisto 97.6 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
mephisto 97.6 is the non-commercial local and training radio station of the University of Leipzig, broadcasting news, culture, music, science journalism, and audio arts content via UKW terrestrial (97.6 MHz, Monday-Friday), DAB+ digital radio, and a 24/7 web livestream. The station supplements its broadcast programming with an online newsportal, podcasts distributed via Spotify and Mixcloud, and structured journalism training offerings including the Akademie intensive course, the university elective Wahlfach Crossmedia-Journalismus, and an open freelance collaboration program.
Product overview
mephisto 97.6 is a crossmedia local and training radio station operated by the University of Leipzig. The station functions as a non-commercial broadcaster offering multiple content channels: terrestrial FM radio (UKW 97.6 MHz), DAB+ digital radio, and 24/7 livestream. Its product portfolio centers on the core radio program supplemented by an online newsportal and podcast distribution across platforms. Training and participation programs include the intensive six-week Akademie, the university elective Wahlfach Crossmedia-Journalismus, and open freelance collaboration. All programming is produced by student volunteers with professional standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- mephisto 97.6 Radio Program
- Livestream
- Newsportal
- Podcasts
- Akademie (Training Program)
- Wahlfach Crossmedia-Journalismus
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 years of continuous broadcasting since 1995
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use mephisto 97.6
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
mephisto 97.6 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
mephisto 97.6 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- MoritzbasteiminorVenue partner for the 30th anniversary conference and party. Moritzbastei provided the 'Veranstaltungstonne' event space for the conference.
- Freundeskreis mephisto 97.6 e.V.coreAlumni association supporting the station with over 1,000 former volunteers. The association provides financial support for projects, coaching, evaluations, and organizes seminars. Acts as a mediator between active and former station members.
- Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien (SLM)coreMedia regulator that granted the broadcast license for mephisto 97.6. SLM provides funding for UKW and DAB+ transmission costs, as well as GEMA and GVL fees for the radio program.
- Universität Leipzig / Zentrum für Medienproduktion (ZMP)coreParent institution providing infrastructure, studios, equipment, and technical support through the Zentrum für Medienproduktion. The university holds the broadcast license and provides operational funding.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
mephisto 97.6 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- egoFM: Non-commercial Munich-based youth/community radio station with similar editorial mix of music, culture, and local reporting. Most directly comparable as a German non-commercial local station targeting a young metropolitan audience.
- hochschulradio (TU Dortmund / CampusRadio): Campus radio at TU Dortmund, another German university radio with a comparable student-led editorial and training structure.
- Radio F (Freies Radio Nürnberg): Non-commercial community/free radio station in Nuremberg offering training and local programming to a diverse audience. Closely matches mephisto 97.6's non-commercial, locally rooted, training-oriented model.
- UniRadio Köln: University radio station at the University of Cologne, run by students with a comparable training and broadcast model. The most directly analogous peer within the German university-radio category.
- Radio Z (Nürnberg): Non-commercial free radio in Nuremberg with similar mix of music, culture, and local journalism. Comparable as a community-licensed local station with volunteer-driven editorial.
Broad incumbents
- MDR Sputnik: Public youth radio channel of MDR targeting young listeners in central Germany (Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia). Overlaps mephisto 97.6's territory and target demographic, but operates at much larger scale as part of the ARD network.
- Fritz (rbb): rbb's youth-oriented public radio station serving Berlin and Brandenburg. Same demographic and programming mix (music, culture, youth issues), but with regional public-broadcaster resources.
- 1LIVE (WDR): WDR's youth-format public radio station. Targets the same 16–35 demographic with music, news, and culture, but with nationwide scale and significantly larger budget via the ARD system.
- Deutschlandfunk Nova: Public digital youth radio from Deutschlandfunk offering in-depth journalism and culture aimed at younger listeners. Comparable in target audience and digital-first distribution, but funded by national broadcasting fees.
Regional players
- Kanal C (TU Graz): Student-run university radio at TU Graz (Austria) with comparable mission, training focus, and editorial mix. Useful as a German-language regional peer for training model comparison rather than direct competition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
mephisto 97.6 social profiles
Digital presencemephisto 97.6 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
mephisto 97.6 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
mephisto 97.6 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
mephisto 97.6 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 mephisto 97.6
What does mephisto 97.6 do?
mephisto 97.6 is the non-commercial local and training radio station of the University of Leipzig, broadcasting news, culture, music, science journalism, and audio arts content via UKW terrestrial (97.6 MHz, Monday-Friday), DAB+ digital radio, and a 24/7 web livestream. The station supplements its broadcast programming with an online newsportal, podcasts distributed via Spotify and Mixcloud, and structured journalism training offerings including the Akademie intensive course, the university elective Wahlfach Crossmedia-Journalismus, and an open freelance collaboration program.
Is mephisto 97.6 a public or private company?
mephisto 97.6 is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was mephisto 97.6 founded?
mephisto 97.6 was founded in 1995. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is mephisto 97.6 based?
mephisto 97.6 is headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does mephisto 97.6 make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Non-commercial Broadcasting is the primary driver. The others are university Funding, donations and training Program Fees.
Who are mephisto 97.6's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are egoFM, hochschulradio (TU Dortmund / CampusRadio), Radio F (Freies Radio Nürnberg), UniRadio Köln and Radio Z (Nürnberg). Broad incumbents are MDR Sputnik, Fritz (rbb), 1LIVE (WDR) and Deutschlandfunk Nova. Kanal C (TU Graz) is listed as a regional player.
Does mephisto 97.6 have an API?
No public API is recorded for mephisto 97.6.
What industry is mephisto 97.6 in?
mephisto 97.6's product category is Community Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAH, University/Educational Local Stations (College Radio, Campus TV), with a secondary code of MPAIADAJ, Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.