Alternative Ending For WBRU

Sadly, it appears that the end of an era is near for WBRU/Providence, the influential Alternative outlet that has been run by the students of Brown University. That’s the word from WPRI-TV/Providence, which reports that WBRU, which has been on the air since 1966 and is currently owned by a nonprofit, Brown Broadcasting Service Inc., plans to file an application sometime this week to transfer its license to the Educational Media Foundation (EMF), and will be converted (with a call letter change) into an affiliate of EMF’s Christian “K-Love” network on or around Sept. 1. K-Love currently airs on two other stations in the region, Providence-licensed 104.7 FM and New Bedford-licensed 91.1 FM.

The change of hands comes just over a month after WBRU announced its signal was up for sale. WBRU’s GM, Kishane Haththotuwegama, has cited decreasing revenue as one of the reasons for the sale. The station grossed $1.05 million in revenue in 2016, according to a document provided to prospective buyers. According to Haththotuwegama, the student board decided to sell the signal back in March.

Some Brown graduates, including former WBRU PD Bill Lichtenstein, feared a sale could reduce the power of student reporters and would have a negative effect on Providence. One bright note for WBRU fans — station spokesperson Art Norwalk told WPRI that WBRU’s current programming will continue on its website, WBRU.com.