UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania — WPSU has a new owner and an incoming general manager. Its next challenge is building sustainable support for local radio, television and digital service after leaving Penn State University.
WHYY announced October 1 that it completed its acquisition of WPSU, preserving public-media service for approximately 1.5 million residents across central and northern Pennsylvania. WPSU retains its name and call letters.
Fred Vigeant will become general manager October 26, according to Radio Ink’s October 6 report. He comes from WITF in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he has served as vice president and chief audience officer since 2022.
Keeping the service local
WHYY says WPSU will remain locally focused and locally run. The Philadelphia public-media organization will provide administrative functions previously handled by Penn State, including finance, billing and human resources.
The transition also calls for fundraising and sponsorship staff. WHYY’s audience guidance says contributions designated for WPSU will remain committed to WPSU and its communities. Existing university financial support has ended.
Preserving the broadcasts is an immediate achievement. Sustaining the reporting, educational programming and community relationships requires an operating model that can endure.
The Radio News Now question
What staffing, fundraising and local-reporting commitments will demonstrate that this rescue is working—and how will the community track those results?
Sources: WHYY acquisition announcement; WHYY transition questions; Radio Ink appointment report.