WDET-FM

(Redirected from WDET)

'WDET-FM' is the NPR-affiliated radio station of Wayne State University in Detroit, at 101.9 FM on the dial. The university holds the broadcasting license for the station through a grant from the United Auto Workers, which originally ran the station from its sign-on (December 18, 1948) until 1952. The UAW originally broadcast public-service programming on the station. Wayne State University bought the station for $1 in 1952 and converted it to non-commercial status.
WDET transmits its signal from an antenna 550 feet in height near the intersection of Cass Ave. and Canfield in Detroit's Midtown area. WDET broadcasts with an ERP of 48,000 watts.
In 2004, WDET implemented extensive programming changes. They dropped many NPR-produced programs such as Fresh Air and Car Talk, as well as some popular local music shows such as Folks Like Us and Arkansas Traveler. This was done to promote more locally-produced music programming. However, it was followed by a decline in listener pledges. In the fall of 2005, new general manager Michael Coleman (replacing Caryn Mathes, who departed for WAMU in Washington, DC) changed WDET's format again, dropping many of the new music programs in favor of a more news-oriented format, bringing back all of the previously dropped programming and adding new NPR-produced programs. Particularly controversial was the dismissal of long-time mid-day host Martin Bandyke. Local media outlets reported he may have violated work rules by accepting gifts from record companies, a potential violation of so-called payola regulations. WDET, like much of Wayne State, is a union shop. However, there have been no reports of a union grievance or complaint filed over Bandyke's firing. Bandyke has since resurfaced in morning drive at Adult Alternative-formatted WQKL-FM (107.1) in Ann Arbor.
As a result of the 2005 format change, some listeners are filing a class action lawsuit against the station for fraudulently taking donations for programming that was planned on being discontinued. Disgruntled former listeners have also held two protests. The first occurred in front of WDET's offices a few days after Christmas. The second occurred near Cobo Hall during the North American International Auto Show. Organizers promised that rally would draw 5000 people, though less than 100 showed up. A plan to protest WDET's changes during the Super Bowl XL festivities was apparently nixed.
Some of WDET's new programs can be heard on WUOM based in Ann Arbor though at different times of the day. Other programs such as the BBC's World Have Your Say, Democracy Now!, and Here and Now are unavailable elsewhere in the Detroit market. WUOM also does not reach significant sections of the metro Detroit area with a clear signal, including the east side and most of downtown Detroit (largely due to interference from CJAM, the University of Windsor station at 91.5).
Some weekday music shows do remain on WDET, including Ed Love's nighttime jazz show, "Destination Jazz," and "Alternate Take" with Liz Copeland, which features progressive and alternative rock. The station has archived recent editions of these shows as well as their weekend music programming and made them available for listening at any time via its Website.
On Thursday May 11, 2006, Michael Coleman announced another major shake-up at WDET. Six employees were laid off including long-time music host John Moshier. Several others were forced to accept paycuts, demotions, or reductions in hours.
On Monday April 2, 2007, WDET implemented several programming changes. Gone from their schedule are the following programs: "Day to Day," "Front Row Center," "Live From Studio A," "The Best of the DSO," Liz Copeland's "Alternate Take," Chuck Horn's "Seventh Journey," "The Ralph Valdez program," Mick Collin's "Night Train," and "The W. Kim Heron Program." New additions include the locally produced "Detroit Today" as well as NPR programs "Talk of the Nation," "Marketplace," "Marketplace Money," "BBC World Service," "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," and "The Changing World." "Destination Jazz: The Ed Love Program" is reduced from 5 to 3 hours. Michael Julien's "Global Mix" is reduced from 5 to 2 hours. Combined with previous changes, the station has transitioned over to a more news oriented format. WDET now has less local and indie music coverage, although they continue to offer a niche for Jazz, Gospel, Folk, Rhythm and Blues, and Bluegrass. The move is somewhat controversial with the dedicated music listeners, as finding stability with the changing program schedule will continue to be a challenge for those listeners. The move will hope to bring in a more politically apt listener base for a source of news, of which studies show NPR news to be less misleading than other news sources.
Starting September 15, 2007 the station will add the show "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin from NPR News, weekdays at 1pm, which will replace "World Have Your Say" from BBC. Michael Juliens "Global Mix will run an add one hour to the show on saturday nights. "Deep River" with Robert Jones will move to sunday afternoons and The Tavis Smiley Show will be heard twice during the weekend on friday evenings and sunday mornings.
WDET is also planning to launch it first HD Radio station later this month but no offical date on when it will start. The new station will feature some very diverse music along with news. It will be branded as WDET2.

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★ Michiguide.com - WDET-FM History

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