UF radio stations complete record-breaking membership campaign

November 21, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Public radio stations Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM and WJUF-FM 90.1, part of the University of Florida, celebrated WUFT’s 30th anniversary by completing the most successful listener membership campaign in the history of the stations.

The fall fund drive, held Oct. 17-28, received 1,236 pledges totaling $161,664.50 — well above the stations’ goal of $135,000. The drive brought in 394 new donors, 341 renewals, 265 members who increased their original gift amount and 238 former members who are now public radio members once again.

WUFT and WJUF-FM are part of the UF College of Journalism and Communications’ division of multimedia properties. WUFT-FM signed on the air Sept. 27, 1981.

“We are pleased to welcome so many new supporters to public radio,” said Randy Wright, executive director of the division of multimedia properties. “We believe this strong membership campaign demonstrates that North Central Florida residents are responding to the increased news and entertainment programming we are offering on our family of public radio stations.”

In addition to the news and public affairs programming offered on 89.1 WUFT-FM and WJUF-FM 90.1, WUFT provides additional offerings on two HD channels. Classic 89 HD2 features classical music 24-hours-a-day and the newest member of the HD family, WUFT Ahora HD3, offers Spanish language programming for the growing Hispanic population in North Central Florida.

“WUFT Ahora is serving a critical need in our community,” said John Wright, dean of the UF College of Journalism and Communications. “The Spanish language programming not only serves the area’s expanding Hispanic community, but also is providing unparalleled training opportunities for our Hispanic students. I believe these additional stations in the market are helping increase the local support of public radio.”

WUFT Ahora HD3 features Spanish-language newscasts produced by the college’s journalism and telecommunication students, as well as news, updates and a variety of programs distributed by NPR Ahora, a service of Radio Netherlands Worldwide.

WUFT-FM 89.1 and WJUF-FM 90.1 broadcast three streams of programming to 19 counties in North Central and Mid-Florida on both analog and HD1 digital formats. Classic 89 HD2 and WUFT Ahora HD3 can be heard on an HD radio or via the Internet at www.wuft.org. In addition, pledges of support to WUFT-FM/TV can be made anytime via the website.