Great Moments in WFMU History #22

Upsala Sells WFMU - by Ken Freedman & Liz Berg

In late 1993, it became clear that Upsala College, the university that owned WFMU’s broadcast license and housed its studios, was on the verge of implosion. Seeing Upsala’s financial demise as a golden opportunity rather than the end of WFMU as he knew it, Station Manager Ken Freedman offered to purchase the station’s license from a reluctant Upsala administration.

As the college’s financial problems escalated to desperate, Ken convinced them to sign an agreement stating that he would run the station on their behalf and Auricle Communications, a non-profit group made up of DJs, listeners, and volunteers, would manage the station.

Finally Ken received a call from Upsala’s Vice President of Finance, who asked him “How quickly could we sell the station to you?” “Right away,” was Ken’s reply, even though Auricle did not have enough money to do so. A generous listener-donor loaned us the funds, papers were signed, and a rush order was sent to the FCC. Upsala’s final payroll barely squeaked by on funds from Auricle’s purchase of WFMU, and the college declared bankruptcy 2 weeks later. June 22, 1994.

Illustration by Danny Hellman

Comments

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This was indeed the very GREATEST moment in WFMU history, and chockfull 'o irony for all of us who fought the university all those years! All hail Ken!!! May his name be praised from every hilltop!

[jon]

Great Moment?
Or Greatest Moment?

For those of us who weren't around for the 'early' days of 'FMU, this has to be the greatest moment. If not for Ken and the "generous listener-donor", I fear that the the license would have been disposed of by the bankruptcy trustees to the religious broadcaster who would pay the most.

Yea! Ken and super generous listeners !!