Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association will begin operating Variety 88.7 WFOS Chesapeake/Norfolk VA on Saturday, May 1.
The group, which owns Public News/Talk 89.5 WHRV and Classical 90.3 WHRO-FM Norfolk, had WFOS donated to them in March. Chesapeake Public Schools, which currently owns the station, announced its intent to stop funding the station last year after dropping their student programs in 2015. The station currently airs a mix of Oldies, Blues, Bluegrass, Classical and Carolina Beach music with paid employees.
WHRO/WHRV has not announced its full programming plans for the station.
WHRO Public Media has filed a license transfer agreement with the FCC to own and operate WFOS-FM, previously owned and operated by Chesapeake Public Schools. The license transfer agreement is pending approval. Additionally, WHRO has entered into a management and programming agreement to begin operating the station beginning May 1, 2021. As a station with a long history that is rooted in the community, WHRO is working with the current WFOS staff to ensure a smooth transition.
“We are thrilled to keep WFOS as a viable station in our market. Programming is still being determined but our goal is to provide a robust program schedule that will stay true to WFOS’s spirit, history and mission,” said Bert Schmidt, president and CEO of WHRO Public Media.
“As the first public school FM station in Virginia and one of the nation’s oldest public school radio stations, we are pleased WHRO Public Media will write the next chapters in WFOS’ storied history,” said Dr. Jared A. Cotton, superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools.