staunton media alliance wqsv radio

What staunton media alliance wqsv radio does

WQSV is a listener-powered community radio station operated by the Staunton Media Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-3520458) founded in 2012 and headquartered at 21 East Frederick Street in Staunton, Virginia. The station broadcasts on a Low-Power FM license at 106.3 MHz, serving Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro with a Triple-A format spanning Adult Album Alternative, jazz, blues, world music, indie rock, bluegrass, and specialty genre programming. WQSV launched in February 2016 following community fundraising and a Bright Re-Wired Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and celebrated its tenth anniversary in February 2026. The station is volunteer-run with a roster of more than 50 volunteer DJs and is governed by a Board of Directors with operational leadership from a General Manager.

The station's revenue model combines monthly recurring memberships (minimum $10/month), one-time donations, underwriting and sponsorship agreements with local businesses, and event revenue from fundraisers such as the annual Chicken Salad-Off and Wharf Rat festival. Underwriting partnerships with 30+ local businesses and organizations (restaurants, banks, civic institutions, small professional services) provide on-air announcements, website visibility, live remotes, and specialty show sponsorships. The technology stack consists of standard LP-FM broadcast equipment, online audio streaming via the station website, and a Spinitron integration that archives two weeks of programming for time-shifted playback and playlist tracking. Adaptive broadcasting technology is used to support visually impaired volunteer DJs.

WQSV serves two primary stakeholder groups: local community listeners seeking independent, non-commercial programming and hyper-local content (news, events, local artist showcases), and local businesses and civic organizations seeking community visibility through underwriting and event co-production. Programming partnerships with cultural institutions such as the Heifetz International Music Institute and the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library extend the station's content slate and ecosystem reach. The organization has no venture capital or private equity backing and is funded entirely through community donations, membership fees, and business underwriting.

Name

staunton media alliance wqsv radio

Legal name

Staunton Media Alliance

Website

https://wqsv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Short description

WQSV is a volunteer-run, listener-powered community radio station at 106.3 FM in Staunton, Virginia, operated by the Staunton Media Alliance 501(c)(3). It serves Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro with diverse Triple-A, jazz, blues, and specialty programming, supported by member donations and local business underwriting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Podcast Live & Interactive Podcast Platforms (Live Shows, Call-ins) (MPACADAJ)

Keywords

• Community radio station
• Listener-powered broadcasting
• Non-commercial FM radio
• Local music programming
• Volunteer DJ shows

Headquarters

HQ city

Staunton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Donations: Monthly recurring donations from listeners with minimum $10/month pledge. Members receive exclusive ticket giveaways, member news and invites, and first-edition WQSV t-shirt.
2. One-time Donations: Single donations from supporters to support station operations and mission.
3. Underwriting/Sponsorships: Local businesses and organizations support the station through underwriting agreements that include on-air announcements and website visibility. Packages also include live remotes, weather, interviews, specialty shows, and community sponsorships.
4. Event Revenue: Station hosts fundraising events including the annual Chicken Salad-Off ($20 tasting fork fee), anniversary celebrations, and virtual concert events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

WQSV operates a non-commercial, volunteer-driven community radio station broadcasting a Triple-A (Adult Album Alternative) format at 106.3 FM in Staunton, Virginia, with online streaming and an on-demand archive player. Programming spans jazz, blues, world, indie rock, bluegrass, and specialty genre shows produced by 50+ volunteer DJs, alongside local news briefs and event coverage for the Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro community.

Product overview

WQSV operates as a single unified community radio station offering over-the-air FM broadcasting at 106.3 FM combined with digital streaming services. The station's primary product is its Triple-A format radio programming featuring diverse music genres and specialty shows. Supporting products include an online archive player for time-shifted listening, monthly newsletters for community engagement, and a volunteer membership program for financial support. Annual events like the Wharf Rat concert and Chicken Salad-Off fundraiser serve as community engagement initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WQSV 106.3 FM Community Radio Broadcasting 24/7 non-commercial community radio broadcast on 106.3 FM featuring an Adult Album Alternative (Triple-A) format with jazz, blues, country, world music, indie rock, bluegrass, and specialty genre programming hosted by 50+ volunteer DJs for listeners in Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro, Virginia.
• Online Stream and Archive Player Web-based live audio stream and time-shifted archive player powered by Spinitron that allows global listeners to tune in live and play back any hour from the past two weeks of WQSV programming, with playlist and track listing access.
• Annual Community Fundraising Events Ticketed live community events including the annual Chicken Salad-Off fundraiser, Wharf Rat concert series, Raising the Roof anniversary celebrations, and virtual concerts that engage the local Staunton community and raise operating funds for the station.
• WQSV Monthly Email Newsletter Monthly email newsletter delivering station updates, community event information, and music news to subscribers and station supporters.
• Listener Membership Program Monthly recurring donation-based membership program with a $10 minimum pledge, offering supporters exclusive ticket giveaways, member news, event invites, and a first-edition WQSV t-shirt.
• Local Business Underwriting Program Sponsorship and underwriting packages offered to local businesses and organizations, including on-air announcements, website logo and link placement, live remotes, weather and interview segments, and specialty show or event sponsorships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Station has grown from launch in 2016 to celebrating 10 years of broadcasting in 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Baja Bean Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant partner providing event venue for station fundraisers including the 10th anniversary Raising the Roof event. Underwriting partner supporting community radio.
• Ciders from MarscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary venue for annual Chicken Salad-Off fundraiser event. Active underwriting partner hosting station community events.
• First Bank & Trust CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial institution underwriting partner. Sponsored WQSV Takes Five 5th Birthday Celebration event.
• Woodrow Wilson Presidential LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presented WQSV Takes Five 5th Birthday Celebration event.
• Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in station launch through Bright Re-Wired Grant administration. Co-producer of Staunton Stories radio show. Ongoing collaboration for community events and downtown promotion.
• The Visulite CinemaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal cinema underwriting partner and event co-host.
• Staunton Farmers MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnderwriting partner supporting local agricultural community.
• Staunton JamscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented by 106.3 WQSV along with Queen City Music Studios and The Judy Chops. WQSV is co-presenter of annual Staunton Jams music festival.
• SpinitroncoreTechnology or IntegrationMusic tracking and playlist management platform integrated with station website. Provides archive player for on-demand listening and track listing functionality.
• Heifetz International Music InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStation hosts weekly 'Heifetz on Air' show featuring performances by students, faculty, and alumni of the renowned music institute located in Staunton.
• The Depot GrilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant underwriting partner.
• Bridgewater Retirement CommunityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSenior living community underwriting partner.
• Chicano Boy TacominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant underwriting partner.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit home improvement retailer underwriting partner.
• Hotel 24 SouthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal hotel underwriting partner.
• Queen City SilvicultureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal tree service company underwriting partner.
• Reunion BakeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bakery underwriting partner.
• Tiger SolarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSolar energy company underwriting partner.
• Kris McMacken CPA/PCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal CPA firm underwriting partner.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• WTJU: University of Virginia's community-supported radio station operating as a non-commercial outlet with diverse music programming, volunteer DJs, and listener-funded model. Directly comparable in non-profit mission, volunteer-driven specialty programming, and university/community partnership approach.
• WNRN: Independent non-commercial radio network serving central and western Virginia with Adult Album Alternative format and volunteer-driven programming. Operates as listener-supported community radio with similar format (Triple-A), volunteer DJs, and reliance on underwriting and donations—directly comparable to WQSV's Staunton footprint and Shenandoah Valley geography.
• WXTJ-LP: University of Virginia's student-run LP-FM radio station. Direct peer as an LP-FM (low-power FM) community station operating with a volunteer/student programming model and university partnership structure similar to WQSV's community-institution partnerships.
• WMRA: Public radio station operated by James Madison University serving the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia, including Staunton's broader geographic area. Comparable as a non-commercial listener-supported station offering diverse music and community programming in overlapping geography.

Broad incumbents

• KEXP: Seattle-based non-commercial radio station known for diverse music programming and global online streaming presence. Operates at substantially larger scale than WQSV but represents the established community-radio model WQSV aspires to replicate, particularly through online streaming reach and listener-funded sustainability.
• WXPN: University of Pennsylvania's public radio station with format including Adult Album Alternative and diverse specialty programming. Comparable format and mission, though substantially larger in resources and reach. Demonstrates scaling potential for community radio with diversified underwriting and event revenue.
• WAMU 88.5: American University-operated public radio station serving the Washington, D.C. region with news, talk, and music programming. Comparable as a non-commercial listener-supported station; demonstrates the upper bound of community/public radio operational scale.

Others

• Spinitron: Playlist tracking and archive platform used by hundreds of community and college radio stations including WQSV. Relevant as the technology infrastructure enabling WQSV's two-week archive player and playlist discovery features.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 staunton media alliance wqsv radio