96.3 FM OHM Radio

What 96.3 FM OHM Radio does

96.3 FM OHM Radio is a listener-supported, nonprofit community radio station headquartered at 1640 Meeting Street Rd, Suite 100 in Charleston, South Carolina. Founded on August 1, 2015 and operated as a project of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Media Reform SC, it is Charleston's first and only nonprofit, commercial-free community radio station, broadcasting 24/7 on 96.3 FM under the call sign WOHM. The station reaches listeners via three channels — terrestrial FM (73% of listenership), online streaming (23%), and a native mobile app for iOS and Android with 4,000+ downloads (4%) — using Live365 for streaming, Spinitron for scheduling and playlist management, and Mixcloud for on-demand archives.

Its programming combines locally-produced shows (Alien Endurance, Books & Beverages, Charleston Business Hour, and dozens of others across music, public affairs, and culture) with curated syndicated national programs (Acoustic Cafe, NPR TED Radio Hour, Grateful Dead Hour, Blues Before Sunrise). The station supports community media through music submission and radio-show demo intake workflows, a Charleston Concert Calendar, and studio access programs run in partnership with the Charleston County Public Library.

The business model is a nonprofit donation-and-underwriting hybrid rather than a commercial advertising model. Revenue is generated through (1) four tiered recurring memberships ($10/$25/$50/$100 per month), (2) FCC-compliant Community Marketing underwriting packages priced from $300/month to $2,600/year, (3) $50/month Show Sponsorship, (4) the Charleston Business Hour ($96.30 suggested donation), (5) seasonal pledge drives (e.g., $5,000 raised in 2024), and (6) event-based fundraising including the annual Block Party at The Refinery and beverage-booth operations at the High Water Festival. The station is supported by a staff of approximately 5 (Executive Director Kate Ledbetter, Production Director Steph FRX, Programming Director Luvie Smith) plus a six-person volunteer board, with the majority of on-air talent drawn from a volunteer DJ/host network.

Name

96.3 FM OHM Radio

Legal name

Media Reform SC

Website

https://ohmradio963.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

96.3 FM OHM Radio is Charleston's only nonprofit, commercial-free community radio station, broadcasting 24/7 on 96.3 FM since 2015 and serving local listeners via FM, online streaming, and a mobile app through listener-supported memberships, underwriting, and event-based fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio) (MPABADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Radio Program Syndication (Talk, Music, Sports) (MPABAMAE)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• Nonprofit radio station
• Local music programming
• Underwriting advertising
• Listener-supported media

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Program: Monthly recurring memberships at four tiers: Broadcast Buddies ($10/month), Amplifiers ($25/month), Studio Supporter ($50/month), and Signal Boosters ($100/month). Provides donor benefits including stickers, merch, studio access, and on-air recognition. All contributions are tax-deductible as the station is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Community Marketing / Underwriting: Non-commercial on-air acknowledgments for local businesses and organizations. Pricing tiers: 1 month $300, 3 months $750, 6 months $1,400, 12 months $2,600. Includes 30-second spot aired twice daily on FM and stream, plus online recognition. Follows FCC guidelines for underwriting.
3. Show Sponsorship: Community Show Sponsorship at $50/month supporting production costs for professionally recorded community shows. Includes in-studio recording, engineering, basic mixing, archiving, and show listing. Financial barriers never prevent qualified programmers from accessing airtime.
4. Donations and Fundraising: One-time and periodic donations through 'Donate What You Can' program. Includes seasonal pledge drives (e.g., $5K Summer Pledge Drive in 2024), event-based fundraising (festival beverage booth operations), and sponsorship opportunities for events like the annual Block Party.
5. Charleston Business Hour: One-hour on-air feature show with suggested donation of $96.30 or Community Marketing Partnership enrollment. Professionally recorded, mixed, archived, and delivered as shareable marketing asset for featured businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

96.3 FM OHM Radio operates Charleston's only nonprofit, commercial-free community radio station, broadcasting 24/7 on the 96.3 FM WOHM frequency since August 1, 2015. It delivers locally-produced and syndicated programming through FM transmission, online live streaming, and a native mobile app, while generating revenue through listener memberships, FCC-compliant underwriting from local businesses, show sponsorships, and donations as a project of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Media Reform SC.

Product overview

OHM Radio 96.3 FM is Charleston's nonprofit community radio station offering a platform-plus-services model centered on its commercial-free FM broadcast. The core product is the 24/7 radio station available via FM, live stream, and mobile app. Supporting services include membership tiers (Broadcast Buddies, Amplifiers, Studio Supporter, Signal Boosters), community marketing/underwriting packages, show sponsorship, and the Charleston Business Hour. Programming includes locally-produced shows and syndicated national programs, all accessible through show archives. The station also operates music submission and radio show demo submission platforms, plus a Charleston concert calendar for local event promotion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OHM Radio 96.3 FM Broadcast Charleston's nonprofit community radio station broadcasting on 96.3 FM frequency 24/7 since August 1, 2015. Features locally-produced, commercial-free programming with local music, community voices, and syndicated shows for Charleston-area listeners.
• OHM Radio Mobile App Native mobile application available on Google Play for streaming the radio station, viewing Who's Playing Now, accessing schedule and archives, and submitting radio show proposals. Developed with support from TRIO Solutions and NetGalaxy Studios.
• OHM Radio Membership Program Monthly recurring listener membership with four tax-deductible tiers: Broadcast Buddies ($10/month), Amplifiers ($25/month), Studio Supporter ($50/month), and Signal Boosters ($100/month). Benefits include stickers, merch, studio access, on-air recognition, and event invitations.
• Community Marketing Program (Underwriting) FCC-compliant non-commercial on-air acknowledgment package for local businesses and nonprofits. Includes a 30-second spot aired twice daily on FM and live stream, plus online listing and social/newsletter shout-outs. Pricing from $300/month to $2,600/year.
• Community Show Sponsorship Monthly sponsorship ($50/month) supporting production of professionally recorded community shows. Includes in-studio recording, engineering support, basic mixing, archiving, and show listing on website. Financial barriers never prevent qualified programmers from accessing airtime.
• Charleston Business Hour One-hour on-air business feature show hosted by Steve Fletcher, featuring a professionally recorded, mixed, and archived conversation with a Charleston business leader. Suggested donation of $96.30 or Community Marketing Partnership enrollment.
• Local Radio Programs Collection of locally-produced shows spanning music, arts, public affairs, and culture, including Alien Endurance, All Things Creative, ArtHaus Radio, AUX FILES, Awendaw Green Radio Jam, Black History Talks, Bibi in da haus!, Books & Beverages, Dr. Mellotron, and Disco Teepee, among others.
• Syndicated Shows Curated collection of nationally-produced radio programs including Acoustic Cafe, Music in The Air, Children's Hour, Days Like Nights, Blues Before Sunrise, Grateful Dead Hour, Redolence Radio, and NPR TED Radio Hour.
• Show Archives Online archive system providing on-demand access to past radio show episodes, including Cafe International, Dancing in the Dark, Live from Whippoorwill Lane, Music Bob Thinks is Cool, Quintin's Closeups, Live and Local, and others.
• Music Submission Platform Online submission process for Charleston-connected artists seeking to get music added to radio rotation. Requires Spotify links to 3 songs, an artist bio, and Charleston connection verification.
• Radio Show Demo Submission Online application process for proposing new radio show ideas. Includes demo requirements (MP3), show format specifications, programming committee review, and onboarding workflow for approved hosts.
• Charleston Concert Calendar Community concert board featuring local and regional concert posters, with submission process requiring 30-day advance notice for event consideration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of surveyed listeners report independent media matters to them
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Media Reform SCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent nonprofit organization and project sponsor. Ohm Radio is an official project of Media Reform SC, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Media Reform SC's mission includes being a forum for underrepresented voices in community media.
• The RefinerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Ohm Radio studio located at 1640 Meeting Street Rd, Suite 100. The Refinery is a creative campus and community hub. Hosts Block Party anniversary celebrations and serves as the 'OHM Sweet OHM' location for events.
• Charleston Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partner for Brass on the Grass outdoor concert series featuring Charleston Symphony brass performances. Partnership brings classical music to community audiences at The Bend venue.
• The BendminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent venue partner for Brass on the Grass 2025 outdoor concert event. Charleston mixed-use development serving as community gathering space.
• SpectrumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFestival sponsor for High Water Festival partnership. Support helps power volunteer opportunities and community engagement at major music festivals.
• Charleston City PapercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor media partner for City Paper Music Awards. Regular press coverage including Best of Awards nominations/features. Co-branding for annual awards show at The Music Farm. Ongoing media partnership for event promotion.
• Charleston County Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Marketing Partner and resource collaborator. Provides equipment, software, studio access, and classes through Media Services for community members wanting to create radio content. Contact: Julian Gooding.
• The Music FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for City Paper Music Awards annual ceremony. Co-presenter of awards show alongside Charleston City Paper and OHM Radio.
• Charleston County LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner with Ohm Radio tent presence at Piccolo Spoleto Finale celebration of Women in Rock. Partnership for community visibility and event collaboration.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WNCW: Spindale, NC community/public radio station focused on local music discovery, Americana, and listener-supported funding in a smaller regional market—comparable in scale and mission to Ohm Radio.
• KCSB: UC Santa Barbara-affiliated freeform community radio station run largely by volunteer programmers with member support—mirrors Ohm Radio's volunteer-anchored, locally-curated model.
• WFUV: Fordham University-licensed public radio station with member-supported underwriting, local DJ programming, and a strong music-discovery focus—operationally similar to Ohm Radio.
• WXPN: University of Pennsylvania-affiliated public radio station with member-supported funding, local music programming, and the World Cafe radio program—comparable nonprofit community station with tiered memberships.
• KCRW: Santa Monica-based nonprofit community/public radio station combining local DJ programming, streaming, member-supported underwriting, and live event programming—same operational playbook as Ohm Radio.
• WFMU: Jersey City-based listener-supported freeform community radio station, one of the longest-running independent freeform stations in the US, with membership tiers and volunteer DJs—an archetype for Ohm Radio's model.
• KUT 90.5: Austin-based member-supported public radio station with local programming, mobile streaming, and event presence—mirrors Ohm Radio's local-voice, listener-funded approach in a comparable mid-sized city.
• WMBR: MIT-run freeform community radio station operated by student and community volunteers, supported by listener donations—same volunteer-driven, nonprofit broadcaster archetype.
• KBOO: Portland, OR community radio station with listener-supported funding, volunteer programmers, and a mission-driven focus on underrepresented voices—a direct structural peer.
• KEXP: Seattle-based nonprofit, listener-supported community radio station with a strong focus on local music discovery, mobile app streaming, and event programming—directly analogous to Ohm Radio's community-curator model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/96-3-fm-ohm-radio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 96.3 FM OHM Radio