WDET-FM

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WDET-FM

City of license	Detroit, Michigan
Broadcast area	[1]
Branding	Detroit Public Radio
First air date	December 18, 1948
Frequency	101.9 MHz
Format	Public: News/Talk
Power	48,000 watts
Class	B
Callsign meaning	Detroit
Affiliations	NPR
Owner	Wayne State University
Website	http://www.wdetfm.org/

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 (with the assistance of Harvey Ovshinsky, an outside consultant) 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, 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. Clearly WDET is now a News station. WDET is no longer attempting to give voice to local independant music although they continue to offer niche music in the Jazz, Gospel, Folk, Rhythm and Blues, and Bluegrass areas. The AAA music format is entirely a thing of the past. WDET is still a very special station to its loyal listeners. Finding stability in these changing times will continue to be a challenge for both listeners and WDET.