WTSR-FM Radio was licensed in 1966 by the FCC at 89.7 megahertz as the Radio System of Trenton State College in Ewing, New Jersey. The license was granted to the College's Board of Trustees for a 10 watt station serving the college campus community. In 1972, when the Trustees were granted an increase in power by the FCC to broadcast at 1500 watts, WTSR's frequency changed to 91.3 FM. This power increase expanded the broadcast radius to 30 miles, with a potential audience of 750,000 listeners. From 1972 to 1991, the station renewed its license every 4 years, proving its value as a non-commercial community service. In 1991, the license was renewed for seven year periods. The Faculty Advisor, with the aid of the Station Manager, is charged by the Board of Trustees to oversee the renewal process.

The station was originally housed underneath the performance stage in Kendall Hall. In 1976, upon completion of the Brower Student Center, the studios were moved to the Student Center basement. As part of the 1992 renovation of Kendall Hall, new studios were built in the basement to accommodate the growing station, as well as to strengthen its linkage with academic programs. The Kendall Hall basement is the current home of the WTSR studios.

The oversight of the license and general management of the radio station is delegated by the Trustees to the Faculty Adivsor, who ensures that the station complies with FCC rules and regulations. The Executive Council, comprised of the Station Manager, Operations Manager, and Program Director, are elected to oversee the daily operations of the station. All personnel and executive decisions are made by the Executive Council and their appointed Board of Directors.

The Student Activities Fund (SAF) provided WTSR with its annual operating and capital equipment funds from 1966 until 1993. In September 1993, WTSR was redesignated as a department governed by the Office of Academic Affairs. As a result, the station's budget was cut 1/3 and no longer had funding for capital equipment. Additional funding is raised by WTSR's Grants and Funding Department through underwriting sales, promotional events, and vendor sponsorship.

The station constitution sets the purpose of the radio system as

"to serve the students, the college and the surround community with educational, informative, and entertaining programs, to provide for the cultural demands of listeners, and to extend opportunities to this interested in the field of radio communications."

The station extends opportunities to those students interested in the fields of marketing, public relations, and broadcast journalism.

WTSR strives to serve its listeners through accurate reporting on local issues, announcing and sponsoring community activities, and using its studios as a form for public discussion. Our block program format features the newest College Alternative music from 6am until 6pm, and Specialty Shows spotlighting over fifteen musical genres from 6pm until 3am. The WTSR Music Department reports College Alternative, New World, Urban, Electronic Dance, and Metal to the CMJ, Gavin Magazine, Hits! Magazine, and The Hard Report. WTSR's charting prowess places the station in the select group of CMJ "Core Reporters," as well as gives the station consideration as a "Gavin Station" within the music industry.

WTSR provides its broadcast community with over 25 hours of public service programming each week, through 30 minutes, Sports Countdown, and FM in the AM. Our Sports Department broadcasts the TCNJ sporting event with both pre and post game coverage and interviews.

So what are you waiting for? Turn your radio on and listen!