About WRUR

Partnership with WXXI

WRUR 88.5 FM is the public radio station of the University of Rochester owned by the University of Rochester Broadcasting Corporation (UORBC). WRUR has a partnership with the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council (WXXI).

Mission Statement

WRUR-FM provides quality programming that enriches the university and greater Rochester community. WRUR also provides students leadership and radio operations opportunities.

History of WRUR

WRUR began in the fall of 1948, occupying 2 rooms in the basement of Burton residence hall and broadcasted campus-wide at 650 AM. In 1950, WRUR began broadcasting from the Eastman School and 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 confirmation of the call letters, WRUR-FM, in August, 1965. The station broadcast 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 antenna and transmitter were moved to the WXXI building and tower on Pinnacle Hill. This greatly expanded the broadcast range, especially to the east and south.
The station now broadcasts with a power output of 15,100 watts. The station’s studios are in the basement of Todd Union, as well as WXXI’s Studio 280, on State Street in downtown Rochester.

The Sound of WRUR

We believe that music has the power to change the world.
Our playlist focuses on songs that tell stories, and are performed by new and established artists who are committed to their craft. WRUR-FM seeks to provide Rochester with quality music that represents the culture and interests of the community and the world.

The industry calls our format AAA (Adult Album Alternative). We think of ourselves as a community cultural clearinghouse for street-level arts activities built on new and interesting contemporary popular music.

Different Nights

In the evening the station transitions to a more open format. This ensures that the station’s ability to provide musical selections with the potential for longevity and societal impact is not limited by the AAA format.

News and Information

WRUR-FM airs news and information programming. The WXXI Center For Public Affairs, along with NPR, bring the community Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and regional news coverage.