Mayor Announces Partnership Between Office of Cable Television and WHUR 96.3 to Launch DC Radio Network

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and the District’s Office of Cable Television (OCT) announced today that the District government has entered into a partnership with Howard University’s WHUR 96.3-FM that will establish the DC Radio Network. The DC Radio Network will be the official radio station for the District government. The non-commercial channel will launch in spring of 2015 and will feature government, public-affairs and public-interest programming serving residents of the District of Columbia. 

 

“This agreement with WHUR is a major accomplishment for the District government, and it is another avenue in which we’re partnering with our local higher-education community,” said Mayor Gray. “The DC Radio Network provides another platform for District residents to stay connected to the government and is a key piece of our continued efforts to increase transparency. It will prove to be another significant channel for citizen engagement.”

 

Through the agreement, initiated at Mayor Gray’s behest, the DC Radio Network will be managed by OCT and broadcast from OCT’s headquarters inside the Brentwood Broadcasting Center in Northeast. DC Radio Network content will provide information on government activity, education, current events, history and arts and entertainment. 

 

“We are pleased to be working with the Office of Cable Television on this exciting new public/private partnership, which will benefit our community,” said Howard University Radio Network General Manager Jim Watkins. “The Howard University Radio Network has been a part of, and committed to, the Washington, DC community since the inception of its flagship station, WHUR 96.3-FM, in 1971. We see this as an extension of our continuous commitment to provide excellence in broadcasting and community service to the residents of the District of Columbia.  As a trailblazer and leader in the broadcast industry, WHUR is providing the bandwidth to host the digital radio channel.”

 

“The radio station adds an additional level of service provided to the residents of the District of Columbia,” OCT Director Eric E. Richardson said. “The DC Radio Network programming will complement OCT’s District Council Channel (DCC), District of Columbia Network (DCN) and District Knowledge Network (DKN) and further increase awareness of the many activities and services provided to District residents by the District government and other stakeholders. We look forward to expanding our digital footprint with this exciting new partnership and venture with WHUR 96.3-FM.”