About WDET
Mission Statement
- WDET-FM 101.9 is an audio program and audio service provider dedicated to disseminating knowledge to educate, entertain and culturally enlighten.
- WDET will reflect the goals, ideals and diversity of Wayne State University and that of the community which we serve.!
- WDET will exhibit integrity and responsibility in its management while striving to maintain a competitive advantage in its programming, its finances and in technology.
- WDET's continuous pursuit of quality will include creating an environment for its customers and stakeholders that is stimulating, creative, supportive of risk-taking and professional development -- and fun!
- WDET 101.9 FM began broadcasting to the metropolitan Detroit community in 1949 as a station owned by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The UAW (UAW-CIO as it was then known) operated the radio station for four years, airing public service programming to its union membership and to the general public. The UAW was not an educational institution and was therefore ineligible for an "educational reserved" radio frequency.
- WDET was given to Wayne State University in 1952 by the UAW to continue the station's tradition of public service programming. Over the decades, WDET has been recognized with countless awards for its music programming and news reporting.
- WDET's highly desirable dial position (101.9) is the legacy of its union beginnings and makes for the unusual situation of a commercial radio frequency being used for a public station.
- WDET-FM is licensed to Wayne State University by the Federal Communications Commission. Application renewal is made every eight years. The station is subject to the rules and regulations set forth by the FCC but is wholly owned by Wayne State. WDET's offices are located at 4600 Cass Avenue in Detroit, Michigan.
- WDET broadcasts a 48,000-watt signal covering a 40-60 mile radius of metropolitan Detroit, and reaching into Northern Ohio and Southern Ontario, Canada. It is the third most powerful FM radio signal in southeast Michigan, available to a population of nearly four million people in 17 counties.
- WDET's transmitter is located at 105 West Canfield in Detroit, co-located with its 562-foot broadcast tower, erected in January 1996.
- Operating funds are provided through federally appropriated monies by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; Wayne State University, and through private donor and corporate contributions. More than half of WDET's operating cash is contributed directly by listeners.
- You've heard the award-winning radio programming. But have you seen the Caddy Award-winning television campaign?
- You know that WDET is the coolest and most compelling thing on any airwaves--including television. And our three 2003 Caddy Awards prove it!
- Take a peek at just one of the award-winning commercials for Detroit's coolest commercial-free radio station