WDUQ celebrates 60 with highest ratings

February 3, 2009 Off By Eric O'Brien

Attributing the Radio Research Consortium and Arbitron, WDUQ-FM (90.5) is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary with the highest number of listeners ever. The fall 2008 numbers (Pittsburgh Total Market) showed WDUQ reaching a cume ofr more than 192,000 aged 12+ a new record for the station – and any of the public stations in Pittsburgh.

WDUQ General Manager Scott Hanley said in a press release, “In a time of growing media choices, we’re very encouraged that our programming is serving more listeners than ever.”

The same ratings period showed a higher total listening to the three leading public stations in the Pittsburgh market. The three stations combined served more than 320,000 listeners per week. That is considered an all-time high to Hanley.

The statiuon signed on in 1949 as a lab for Duquesne University students. It has grown each decade since and joined the newly formed National Public Radio in 1970. Throughout the 80s and 90s the station increased its commitment to news and public affairs. In 2006 and 2007 WDUQ added four translators in Johnstown (100.5 FM), Somerset (104.1 FM), Ligonier (104.1 FM) and New Baltimore (92.3FM).