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About

WRUR 88.5 FM is the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots, and folk music and  is the non-commercial, member-supported radio service of the University of Rochester, in partnership with the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council, Inc.

Mission Statement

WRUR provides an essential and trusted independent voice for news, information, music and cultural exploration for the people of our region.

The Sound of WRUR

WRUR's music is what the music industry calls AAA (Adult Album Alternative). WRUR plays music that matters; music that has the potential to make a difference and advance the craft of songwriting. We bring new voices to the air that are often overlooked by the mainstream media. We also believe that exceptional music can come from anywhere, including our own backyard. To that end, we encourage the airplay of local and regional artists, and provide on-air opportunities to those musicians. WRUR staff DJs are composed of students, staff, and community volunteers. In addition to great music, WRUR airs news and information programming that informs, as well as engages, with programming from the WXXI Center For Public Affairs, along with NPR, bringing the region Morning Edition and regional news coverage. 

History of WRUR

WRUR began in the fall of 1948, occupying 2 rooms in the basement of Burton residence hall and broadcast closed-circuit campus-wide at 650 AM.  In 1950, WRUR began broadcasting from the Eastman School of Music,  what was then the Prince Street Women's campus. Five years later, studios were constructed in Todd Union's basement.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted a construction permit and assigned the call letters, WRUR-FM, in August, 1965, broadcasting on 90.1 MHz with a power output of 10 watts. In 1969, WRUR-FM was granted a power increase and the station changed frequency to 88.5 MHz. In 1993, the transmitter site moved to the top the Hyatt Regency Rochester hotel, and power was increased 3,000 watts.

In 2007, the transmitter and antenna were moved to the WXXI transmission facility and tower on Pinnacle Hill. A power increase and the addition of HD radio was made in 2010 and WRUR now broadcasts with a power output of 15,100 watts.  The station’s studios are located at WXXI on State Street, as well as the basement of Todd Union on the university campus.