WSIA

Infobox Radio station


name = 88.9 WSIA Staten Island
area = Staten Island, New York
frequency = 88.9 (MHz)
slogan = "Staten Island's Only Alternative"
airdate = 1980
format = Modern Active Rock
erp = 11 Watts
haat = 192 meters
class = D
facility_id = 65557
owner = College of Staten Island
website = [http://www.wsia.fm/ www.wsia.fm]

WSIA is a college radio station in Staten Island, New York. The station broadcasts on 88.9 MHz FM. The station airs jazz, rock, and urban formatted content in addition to talk radio.

History

In the mid 1970s, a group of students intrigued by radio gathered in a broom closet of the C Building at the College of Staten Island to form WSIA.

The founding members of WSIA include Ronald Resnick, Greg, Joe Mininni, Karen Cino, and Diane T. amongst others. Upon working with the college, the students were able to apply for an FM license and were granted a construction permit.

In the late 1970s, a new group of students applied to the Student Government and Association for money to commence construction. Immediately following the basic construction, a general manager was hired to handle the daily tasks of the station. In the early 1980s, an agreement was reached to acquire an antenna site on Todt Hill which is noted as the tallest point on the East Coast. Phone lines were eventually installed for the transmitter. The remaining construction of the studio was expedited in the basement of the E Building on the Sunnyside campus. On August 31, 1981, WSIA commenced regularly scheduled broadcast.

After having worked off of student fees, the college would eventually pick up the salary of the general manager in 1985. Although, a lack of knowledge would affect the station throughout the 1980s as it was relatively unnoticed by students. Most of the station’s support was a direct result of its listeners as the station grew in recognition.

WSIA Today

The early 1990s proved to be beneficial for the station as the operating budget was increased to $100,000 annually from the original budget of $8,800.

Since the early days, the programming has undergone a number of changes. Despite the growth of the station, the students remain committed to using the facilities in new and innovate ways. The station remains a beneficial and influential outlet to its listeners and sponsors.

In 1993, the College of Staten Island moved its entire campus to a larger location. This enabled an opportunity for WSIA to obtain a state of the art facility. The facility now houses a 64 track recording studio, multiple broadcast booths/rooms and full office space for its staff. The recording studio also houses musical instruments such as guitars, pianos, turntables, and much more.

WSIA serves as an outlet for breaking emerging artists to the mass public. The station and its studio is a learning ground for students and aspiring broadcast enthusiasts alike. The station is operated by an all-student Board of Directors and employs a General Manager and Chief Engineer. The station’s general manager is Philip Masciantonio. The station’s technical operation is maintained by John Ladley.

The station is licensed by the FCC and transmits to the Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan areas of New York in addition to New Jersey. The station also has a strong international following via the World Wide Web.

The station’s current programming includes music, news, public affairs discussion, sports talk, and more. The music department broadcasts live programs catering to various genres of music. The stations music department is noted to have hosted many established recording artist’s in-studio commentary and interviews as a result of individuals such as Emilio & Vincent Medugno and Vin Forte, who, in 2008, spearheaded the return of new local music to WSIA's airwaves (which had previously been absent for some time at the station), amongst others. The Untouchable DJ Drastic is a popular DJ known to credit WSIA as a founding aspect of his career. The sports department broadcasts many live events such as baseball, college basketball, football, and more.

WSIA is open to full and part-time students at the College of Staten Island. No previous broadcast experience is necessary. The WSIA studios are now located at 2800 Victory Blvd. Building 1C / Room 106 in Staten Island, NY.

External links

* [http://wsia.csi.cuny.edu/ WSIA Staten Island, 88.9 FM]
*FMQ|WSIA
*FML|WSIA
*FMARB|WSIA