C89.5 Fm
DANCE 89.5 is a Seattle-based non-profit public radio station broadcasting 24/7 dance music programming, operated by KNHC Public Radio Association under Seattle Public Schools and serving Pacific Northwest listeners while providing career-connected learning for students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What C89.5 Fm does
C89.5 FM, operating as DANCE 89.5, is a non-profit public radio station headquartered in Seattle, Washington, broadcasting a 24/7 dance music format branded as "Seattle's Party Radio." The station is owned and operated by KNHC Public Radio Association as a self-supporting service of Seattle Public Schools, a relationship that has anchored the organization since its founding in 1971 at Nathan Hale High School and provides career-connected learning opportunities for hundreds of students each year. Its programming is organized into named dayparts and specialty shows including The Morning Blend, Mornings with Drew Bailey, Middays with DANCE 89.5, Drive @ 5, Evenings with Harmony, Overnights, NuSkool + Ol' School, K-Plus, and Sub 49 Radio, spanning genres such as bass, breakbeats, K-pop, 2000s dance, and dance pop.
The underlying technology stack consists of an FCC-licensed FM broadcast at 89.5 serving the greater Seattle metropolitan area, complemented by a website streaming platform, a dedicated iOS/Android mobile application (relaunched in July 2026), Spotify presence, and an active footprint across seven-plus social platforms. No proprietary technology patents or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed. The station maintains community engagement through live events such as the Summer Ferry Tour.
The business model is a standard non-profit public radio construct. Content is free to listeners; revenue is generated through periodic listener fund drives and corporate underwriting/sponsorship. Underwriting partners include regional institutions such as 4Culture, Puget Sound Energy, BECU, Seattle Children's Hospital, and Trinity Nightclub, alongside several local small businesses. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and there are no paid subscription tiers; instead, the station operates a Donor Perks program. The organization has no venture capital or private equity involvement and operates as a government-affiliated educational entity.
C89.5 Fm firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C89.5 Fm
- Legal name
- KNHC Public Radio Association
- Website
- https://c895.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DANCE 89.5 is a Seattle-based non-profit public radio station broadcasting 24/7 dance music programming, operated by KNHC Public Radio Association under Seattle Public Schools and serving Pacific Northwest listeners while providing career-connected learning for students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
C89.5 Fm industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)
Keywords
Where C89.5 Fm is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
C89.5 Fm business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The station conducts regular fund drives (summer fund drives mentioned) where listeners donate to support operations. The station encourages donations to 'shorten the fund drive' and return to music programming.
- Underwriting and Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors underwrite programming in exchange for recognition. Sponsors include 4Culture, Puget Sound Energy, BECU, Seattle Children's Hospital, and other local businesses. This is a standard public radio revenue model.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
C89.5 Fm product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C89.5 Fm (DANCE 89.5) is a non-commercial, listener-supported public radio station that broadcasts a continuous electronic and dance music format from Seattle. The station streams its signal over FM 89.5 MHz in the Puget Sound region and extends distribution through a mobile app, online streaming, Spotify, and Alexa. Programming is anchored by live DJ-hosted shows including morning, afternoon, and Saturday night house party blocks.
Product overview
DANCE 89.5 is a radio broadcasting service operating as Seattle's Party Radio for over 50 years. The core offering is a 24/7 radio broadcast featuring dance music across multiple genres (nu-school, K-pop, breakbeats, 2000s dance, bass). The service is distributed through a mobile app, live streaming on the website, and on-demand content. The programming schedule is organized into named shows/modules including Morning Blend, Mornings with Drew Bailey, Middays, Drive @ 5, Evenings with Harmony, Overnights, NuSkool + Ol' School, K-Plus, and Sub 49 Radio. Additional features include Selector Picks (weekly top tracks round-up) and on-demand access to archived shows. The station also functions as an educational organization providing career-connected learning opportunities for students.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DANCE 89.5 FM Broadcast 24/7 over-the-air public radio broadcast on FM 89.5 MHz serving the Puget Sound region, delivering a continuous electronic and dance music format with live DJ-hosted programming for Seattle-area listeners.
- DANCE 89.5 Mobile App Mobile application providing live streaming of DANCE 89.5 programming, access to on-demand content, and push notifications for global and out-of-market dance music listeners.
- DANCE 89.5 On Demand On-demand streaming library accessible through the website and mobile app, offering recorded shows and mixes from the station's DJs and programming blocks.
- Corporate Underwriting and Sponsorship Underwriting package offered to businesses and organizations seeking brand exposure on the station, including on-air mentions and promotional association with DANCE 89.5's dance music audience.
Companies that use C89.5 Fm
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
C89.5 Fm technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
C89.5 Fm partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Seattle Public SchoolscoreKNHC Public Radio Association operates as a self-supporting service of Seattle Public Schools. The station is integrated within the school district's educational mission, providing career-connected learning opportunities for students.
- 4CultureminorCultural funding organization supporting the arts in King County. Listed as a sponsor powering DANCE 89.5.
- Puget Sound EnergyminorRegional utility company and sponsor of DANCE 89.5.
- BECUminorBoeing Employees' Credit Union and sponsor of DANCE 89.5.
- Trinity NightclubminorSeattle nightclub and sponsor of DANCE 89.5, likely connecting to dance music scene events.
- Seattle Children's HospitalminorMajor Seattle healthcare institution and community sponsor.
- Eyes on FremontminorLocal organization supporting Fremont neighborhood arts and culture.
- Elemental Cremation & BurialminorFuneral services provider and local business sponsor.
- Mosé AutominorAuto sales/service business and local sponsor.
- Hansmire BuildersminorConstruction company and local business sponsor.
- SDOT Vision ZerominorSeattle Department of Transportation safety initiative and sponsor, possibly related to the Ferry Tour events.
- Financial Empowerment NetworkminorNon-profit financial education organization and community sponsor.
- Orion EntertainmentminorEntertainment company and sponsor of DANCE 89.5.
- Bedrooms & MoreminorFurniture retailer and local business sponsor.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
C89.5 Fm competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- WFMU: Long-running listener-supported nonprofit freeform radio station based in New Jersey. Comparable as a nonprofit, community-funded public radio broadcaster with eclectic programming and a donor-supported revenue model.
- The Lot Radio: Independent online radio station based in Brooklyn focused on dance, electronic, and DJ culture. Comparable as a niche, dance-music-first radio broadcaster with live DJ programming and digital streaming distribution.
- Sub FM: Online radio station dedicated to drum & bass, dubstep, and dance music. Directly comparable as a digital-first, dance-music-focused radio broadcaster serving a similar listener demographic.
- KEXP: Seattle-based listener-supported public radio station with deep roots in alternative, electronic, and dance music. Most directly comparable peer given shared Seattle location, nonprofit public radio model, and overlapping electronic/dance music programming.
- KCRW: Los Angeles-based nonprofit public radio station known for eclectic music programming including electronic and dance. Comparable as a nonprofit public radio broadcaster with digital streaming distribution and a community-funded revenue model.
- Rinse FM: London-originated online and pirate-heritage radio station dedicated to dance, garage, jungle, and electronic music. Directly comparable as a dance-music-first radio broadcaster with global streaming reach and grassroots community identity.
- WKDU: Drexel University student-run radio station in Philadelphia featuring electronic and dance programming. Comparable as a nonprofit, educationally affiliated, student-powered community radio broadcaster with overlapping electronic/dance music identity.
Broad incumbents
- iHeartRadio: Largest U.S. radio broadcaster with hundreds of FM stations and streaming channels including dance/electronic formats. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the radio broadcasting space with overlapping dance music audience and digital streaming distribution.
- SiriusXM: Subscription satellite and streaming audio service with dedicated electronic/dance channels (e.g., Diplo's Revolution, Chill). Comparable as a broad incumbent offering dance/electronic music radio programming at scale, with a different monetization model.
- BBC Radio 1: Major UK national broadcaster with dedicated dance/electronic programming. Comparable as a large-scale radio incumbent with material dance and electronic music programming, though it operates at national scale rather than community-focused.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
C89.5 Fm social profiles
Digital presenceC89.5 Fm financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C89.5 Fm leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
C89.5 Fm funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C89.5 Fm 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 C89.5 Fm
What does C89.5 Fm do?
C89.5 Fm (DANCE 89.5) is a non-commercial, listener-supported public radio station that broadcasts a continuous electronic and dance music format from Seattle. The station streams its signal over FM 89.5 MHz in the Puget Sound region and extends distribution through a mobile app, online streaming, Spotify, and Alexa. Programming is anchored by live DJ-hosted shows including morning, afternoon, and Saturday night house party blocks.
Is C89.5 Fm a public or private company?
C89.5 Fm is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was C89.5 Fm founded?
C89.5 Fm was founded in 1971. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is C89.5 Fm based?
C89.5 Fm is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does C89.5 Fm make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are underwriting and Sponsorship.
Who are C89.5 Fm's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WFMU, The Lot Radio, Sub FM, KEXP, KCRW, Rinse FM and WKDU. Broad incumbents are iHeartRadio, SiriusXM and BBC Radio 1.
Does C89.5 Fm have an API?
No public API is recorded for C89.5 Fm.
What industry is C89.5 Fm in?
C89.5 Fm's product category is Public Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAEAA, Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM), with a secondary code of MPAIAEAE, Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only). Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.