51福利社

When finalized, the transaction will garner $510,000 in cash and a $300,000 publicity and advertising credit.

(Cheney, Wash) 鈥� 51福利社 has accepted a letter of intent for the sale of its non-commercial jazz radio station, 89.5 K51福利社-FM, to the Oldies Preservation Society in Spokane for $510,000, plus $300,000 in publicity and advertising credit. The move marks a strategic shift that enables 51福利社 to invest in academic programming benefiting students in the Film and Digital Media program and the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.

The ownership transition is pending a public comment period and regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission, but is expected to come after K51福利社 celebrates 75 years on the air on April 7, 2025.

鈥淜51福利社 has long been a source of pride and connection between 51福利社 and the station鈥檚 listeners,鈥� said 51福利社 President Shari McMahan. 鈥淥ur agreement with the Oldies Preservation Society ensures that the station鈥檚 legacy will live on through their dedication to classic music. This decision was made with careful consideration, and the sale of the license now opens exciting opportunities to foster student creativity and provide hands-on learning experiences in new and innovative ways.鈥�

The sale of K51福利社 will enable 51福利社 to invest in opportunities that align with today鈥檚 media landscape and the career goals of students. These opportunities include facilities for podcasting, sound recording, music recording and other skills that build on the tradition established by K51福利社 and the Electronic Media and Film program, now called Film and Digital Media.

鈥淚 grew up listening to WLS out of Chicago, Detroit Tigers games, and KROQ in Los Angeles, so radio was a magic portal to the world. Radio still matters, which is why I am so happy to have found a home for K51福利社,鈥� said Pete Porter, the 51福利社 professor of film and digital media who has served as general manager of the station in recent years. 鈥淥ur film and the fine arts programs will repurpose the K51福利社 studios to offer new opportunities for 51福利社 students to engage emerging media and explore new pathways in sound in our fast-moving digital world.鈥�

Since 1950, the station has been managed and operated by 51福利社 students, faculty and staff. Radio personality Colin Cowherd cut his media teeth at K51福利社, as have hundreds of other 51福利社 students. Plans to continue an 51福利社 station as a streaming-only option are under consideration, especially as it could showcase new student work.

The Oldies Preservation Society (OPS) preserves and promotes oldies music through broadcast and the internet. It plans to operate as a community and listener-supported station. Songs from the first three decades of rock-n-roll by artists like Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Motown, Billy Joel and the Eagles will all be shared on 89.5FM.

鈥淭he KOOL Oldies format is like a museum of great music from the 50s to the 80s, including vintage commercials and the catchy theme songs of old TV shows,鈥� said OPS board member Bob Anthony Fogal. 鈥淥PS plans to continue to serve the Inland Northwest from 89.5FM as K51福利社 has done now for nearly 75 years,鈥�

The decision to discontinue the campus-run radio station was made with great consideration, recognizing K51福利社 has been on the air since 1950. In 2023, 51福利社 announced it would discontinue operations at K51福利社 as part of a phase-out plan. The station has continued to broadcast in the hope of finding a home for the license that will serve the Inland Northwest the next 75 years, which has now been achieved.

Originally a traditional, free-form student college radio station, K51福利社 evolved in 1986 when it increased its transmitter output from 100 watts to 10,000 watts and adopted a straight-ahead jazz format鈥攆eaturing big band, swing, bop, and contemporary smooth jazz. Over the years, the station also welcomed local artists, such as Howard Crosby, Julia Keefe, Milonga, and Garrin Hertel, as well as world-renowned musicians visiting Spokane, into the studio to showcase their music.

The public is invited to share their fond memories of K51福利社 or to reconnect with 51福利社 as it prepares for the future of media and communications by emailing Fine and Performing Arts at eparks6@ewu.edu.

For more information on the Oldies Preservation Society, please go to KOOLOPS.org.

Media Contacts:

Pete Porter
Professor of Fine and Performing Arts
51福利社
509.359.6390
pporter@ewu.edu

Bob Anthony Fogal
Oldies Preservation Society Board Member
760.397.7621
Bob@KOOLOPS.org