Purdue completes transfer, sale of WBAA to WFYI after a century of operation

Margaret Christopherson, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·1 min read
WBAA radio station in the Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University, Friday, July 2, 2021 in West Lafayette.
WBAA radio station in the Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University, Friday, July 2, 2021 in West Lafayette.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The license transfer and sale of WBAA to WFYI/MIPM was announced Friday to be officially completed.

In February this year, Purdue signed an asset purchase agreement with Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media that secured WBAA radio AM and FM from Purdue over to MIPM. While this was met with some disapproval from the general public, progress on the transfer has been throughout the last 12 months.

It was in July 2021 when the intent to sell WBAA was first announced. The first air date of WBAA was April 4, 1922.

WBAA will continue to operate out of its current studios in Purdue's Elliot Hall of Music, according to the university. However, it is now officially part of WFYI/MPIM's services.

"Per the final agreement," a release from Purdue states, "WBAA will maintain its call letters, its strong heritage and a physical presence in Greater Lafayette. Local news and reporting, NPR and global news, and classical music — mainstays of WBAA’s current lineup — will continue to be aired on WBAA-AM and WBAA-FM and its digital frequencies."

Announced "enhancements" that will be made to WBAA now that it has been transferred includes, verbatim:

  • Purdue students in the Brian Lamb School of Communication, WBAA’s internship partner, will have access to expanded learning and development opportunities both locally with WBAA and through the larger MIPM and WFYI networks, in positions spanning broadcasting, digital media, sales and marketing, and more.

  • In time, active WBAA members will receive a complimentary WFYI Passport membership, including access to a robust video streaming library of PBS and local programs.

  • Program and underwriting partners will gain access to a broader audience via shared programming that will also air on WFYI stations.

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette NPR affiliate station WBAA sale to WFYI finalized