FCC Approves Transfer of WPSU Broadcast Licenses to WHYY

Approval clears the way to preserve and strengthen public media service for Central and Northern Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA and UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHYY and Penn State University today announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the transfer of WPSU’s broadcast licenses to WHYY, marking a major milestone in securing the future of public media service for approximately 1.5 million residents across central and northern Pennsylvania.

The FCC’s approval clears the principal regulatory hurdle for WHYY’s acquisition of WPSU’s license from Penn State. The organizations will now proceed with the remaining steps necessary to complete the transaction.

Following completion of the transaction, WHYY will operate the television and radio stations under the WPSU name and call letters, building upon more than 70 years of service to communities throughout the region. WPSU will remain focused on the people, places and issues of central and northern Pennsylvania, with a continued commitment to trusted local journalism, educational programming, cultural enrichment, community engagement and local storytelling.

“This is an extraordinarily important moment for public media and, most importantly, for the people and communities WPSU serves,” said Bill Marrazzo, WHYY President & CEO. “From the beginning, our goal has been to ensure that central and northern Pennsylvania continues to have a strong, independent and noncommercial public media voice. The FCC’s approval brings us significantly closer to making that commitment permanent.”

Marrazzo continued, “WPSU has earned the trust of generations of viewers, listeners, families, educators and communities. WHYY’s responsibility is not simply to preserve that legacy, but to build upon it. WPSU will remain WPSU: locally focused, responsive to the communities it serves and dedicated to telling the stories of central and northern Pennsylvania.”

"The FCC’s approval brings welcome clarity about the future of public media in our region," said Larry Terry, vice president for Penn State Outreach. "For generations, WPSU has been a trusted presence in the lives of people across northern and central Pennsylvania. This decision ensures that service will continue under WHYY's leadership and creates new opportunities to serve communities for years to come."

The approval follows nearly two years of planning and collaboration between WHYY and Penn State. The organizations previously entered into agreements for WHYY to acquire WPSU’s operating assets, subject to FCC approval of the transfer of the station licenses and other customary closing requirements.

Throughout the process, both organizations have emphasized continuity of service for WPSU’s audiences and the preservation of its longstanding public-service mission.

For the communities WPSU serves, that mission extends well beyond television and radio programming. Public media provides access to independent journalism and trusted information, supports children and families with educational resources, creates opportunities for lifelong learning, connects people through arts and culture, strengthens civic and community life, and provides an important communications resource during times of emergency.

The transition will combine WPSU’s deep local relationships, community knowledge and history of service with WHYY’s experience as one of the nation’s leading independent public media organizations. WHYY has served audiences in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware for more than 70 years and is committed to strengthening WPSU (which has been broadcasting to the region for the same amount of time) as a sustainable, locally focused public media organization serving central and northern Pennsylvania.

Additional information about the completion of the transaction and the transition of WPSU operations will be announced as those steps occur.

About WHYY:
WHYY, the Philadelphia region’s leading independent, non-commercial public media provider, has served southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and all of Delaware for more than 70 years. WHYY’s mission is to engage audiences, expand perspectives, and empower communities through lifelong learning, truthful reporting, healthy dialogue, and amplification of diverse voices. The station’s national production and presentation roster for public media includes Fresh Air with Terry Gross & Tonya Mosley, the award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues; the children’s arts education series Albie’s Elevator and The Infinite Art Hunt; the weekly science and health program & podcast, The Pulse as well as a variety of documentaries, series, and specials. WHYY also serves as the Local Primary 1 (LP1) station for the Philadelphia emergency alert system (EAS) operational area, acting as the region’s primary broadcaster for receiving and relaying emergency alerts to other stations and cable systems—ensuring the public receives timely and potentially lifesaving information. For more information, visit WHYY.org.

About WPSU:
WPSU is a trusted public media service providing PBS and NPR programming, local journalism, educational resources and community-focused content to approximately 1.5 million residents across central and northern Pennsylvania. Ince its inception more than seven decades ago, WPSU has served the region through free over-the-air television and radio, as well as cable, satellite and digital platforms, ensuring broad access to trusted news, information, education and entertainment. WPSU produces original television, radio and digital content that reflects the people, places, history and issues of the communities it serves, while supporting lifelong learning, Pre-K–12 education and meaningful community engagement. Its mission is to spark discovery, enrich learning and strengthen community through vibrant public media. For more information, visit WPSU.org.

Media Contact:
Gary Bramnick, WHYY
Senior Director, Marketing Communications
215.351.1262 (o) | 215.266.8676 (m)