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Your Classical and Jazz Source. Celebrating 75 Years!
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Frequently Asked Questions

LISTENING ONLINE

1. Can I listen to  jazz and classical music on your website?

Yes. WRTI offers listeners two 24-hour web streams. Both of these streams are a combination of our regular broadcast programming and our HD-2 broadcast programming. Both streams are offered in the MP3 (iTunes) format.

You can listen on our website in two places: at the top of the homepage —and on every page of the website —there is a gray-colored persistent player that contains both the WRTI classical and WRTI jazz streams. Just click on the the right side of the player where it says "All Streams" to view both streams.  Then select the stream of your choice. You can also click on the "Ways to Listen" button in our navigation bar, and then click on "Listen Live" to view both streams.

  • All-Classical Web Stream

Our classical stream simulcasts our 6 am to 6 pm classical broadcast programming, and from 6 pm to 6 am it switches to a variety of classical programming that is offered on our HD-2 channel.

  • All-Jazz Web Stream

Our jazz stream simulcasts our 6 pm to 6 am jazz broadcast programming, and from 6 am to 6 pm it switches to a variety of jazz programming that is offered on our HD-2 channel.
You can also stream WRTI using a smart speaker.  The WRTI Alexa Skill is available for the Amazon Echo. 

2. How do I listen to WRTI on Internet Radio?

The two WRTI stream URLs that are recommended for Internet Radio Streaming are:

Classical:

“https://playerservices.streamtheworld.com/api/livestream-redirect/WRTI_CLASSICAL.mp3”

Jazz:

“https://playerservices.streamtheworld.com/api/livestream-redirect/WRTI_JAZZ.mp3”

LISTENING WITH THE WRTI APP

1. Does WRTI have an app, and how can I find it?
Yes, we have a free app. Here are the directions to easily download it.
 

PROGRAMMING

1.  Where do I find your playlists?
You can find complete playlists, arranged by going to our drop-down menu under the gray bar at the top of the homepage, and  under "Playlists and Schedules" selecting either "Search Classical Playlists" or "Search Jazz Playlists." 

Also, almost every program page includes the most recent playlist at the bottom of the page, as well as links to previous playlists.  You can find a list of Classical Programs here and Jazz Programs here. Finally, every page includes links to playlist searches in the footer in the On Air Info section.

If you still can't find what you're looking for, you can contact our Classical department or our Jazz department. Please remember to be as specific about the piece as possible, including the time and day you heard it, the host's name, the composer of the piece, and/or title.

2.  Is there a way to purchase the music I hear on WRTI?

A lot of the music you hear on WRTI can be purchased by going to our website and searching for the playlist that shows you the music you heard on a particular day and time. When you find it, you can purchase the music online.  You can also purchase music in our WRTI Amazon Store.

You will not always find what you're looking for, though, because a significant portion of our programming comes from recordings that are no longer commercially available.

3.  Why can't I get your playlists in advance?

In accordance with our broadcasting and streaming licensing agreements, WRTI is not allowed to publish playlists in advance of broadcast.  While we know many listeners would like this information, we are legally bound to adhere to the terms of this agreement.

Weekday and Saturday morning classical playlists are available during and after the broadcast of each selection. The playlist is located in the right column on the homepage. For jazz from 9 pm to 6 am, playlists are available in the same way. For Jazz with Bob Perkins, playlists will normally be available the day after broadcast.

4.  How do I join the Sousalarm Club?

The Sousalarm Club is a popular daily feature on WRTI, heard every weekday morning at 7:15 am. You can request membership in the Club by filling out our online form here. Please include your postal address, so that you can receive your official membership certificate, and anything you'd like to share with your fellow listeners. Host John Scherch will then let you know when you will be officially inducted into the club.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  Where is WRTI located? What's your mailing address and phone number?

WRTI is located on the main campus of Temple University in Philadelphia. Our mailing address is:

WRTI-FM (063-00)
1509 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 3rd floor
Philadelphia, PA 19121-3410

Tel: 215-204-8405 (weekdays, 9 am to 5 pm)
Fax: 215-204-7027

2.  Who owns WRTI?

WRTI is a non-profit, member-supported public radio station. A broadcast service of Temple University, WRTI operates as a professional classical and jazz radio station. Temple University owns WRTI's broadcast license.

3.  Where does WRTI's support come from?

Eighty percent of WRTI's annual cash budget comes from the community, including over 20,000 members and underwriters - 65% comes from members, and 17% comes from underwriters. Additional support comes from Temple University and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and miscellaneous grants.  It takes $12,834/day to operate the station. Your support is essential!

4.  Is WRTI a student station?

WRTI's license is held by Temple University. The station has 24 full-time professional staff members who, together with part-time, volunteer, and student staff, work to deliver the high-quality classical music and jazz programming you hear every day. Until the mid '80s, WRTI was a student station. Temple University currently has a student station, WHIP, that broadcasts on its Main Campus for approximately 12 hours a day.

5.  Where do I send a check to?

Checks can be sent to:

WRTI Membership Department
PO BOX 22440
New York, NY 10087-2400

6. Why do you ask for e-mail addresses?

We ask for your e-mail address when you participate in a survey, vote for your favorites, request a piece of music, or make a gift to WRTI online. We use your e-mail address to make sure there aren’t duplicate submissions in any of our online polls and request forms.

In the case of giving to WRTI, your e-mail address allows us to match your gift to an existing membership record if one exists. If you’re not an active member of WRTI, we’re also interested in communicating with you, and we want to do that through e-mail.  Therefore, you may receive a request for support and/or our e-newsletter at some time subsequent to your participation. You will always have the option to opt out of further communication when you receive correspondence from us.

And finally, WRTI does not, and will not, sell or share your e-mail address with outside organizations. We believe in protecting your privacy and respecting your participation in our community.

UNDERWRITING

1.  What is"underwriting" and how can my organization underwrite on WRTI?

If your company is looking for an on-air presence at WRTI, our underwriting department can help. As a public radio station we do not sell commercials; instead, WRTI acknowledges corporate contributions with 30-second sponsorship announcements. Contact Arajua Backman for more information at Arajua@WRTI.org.

2.  How do I get my PSA (public service announcement) on the air?

Our guidelines include airing public service announcements for non-profit services only; we don't air PSAs for performances or concerts. Also, we cannot guarantee that each request will run. Electronic PSAs can be sent to psa@wrti.org.

MEMBERSHIP

1. Why does WRTI have on-air member drives?

Membership income makes up the largest portion of WRTI's revenue, and the majority of WRTI's membership fundraising is accomplished through the mail and via its website. WRTI conducts several on-air member drives each year because they are the most effective and efficient way of communicating with our loyal listeners who are likely to support the station. Public radio is supported by listeners who value and listen to the programming. Eighty percent of WRTI's cash revenue comes from its 17,000 active members (listeners who have made contributions within the last 12 months), and underwriters; the remainder comes from grants, including support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Temple University.  Click here to pledge.

2. Can I purchase station- or host-branded swag?
Unfortunately, no. WRTI-branded merchandise is only offered as thank-you gifts for members of the station.  Being a member of WRTI is very easy and incredibly affordable, especially as a sustaining member.  Check out our current branded merchandise on our pledge page.

ENGINEERING

1. What is High Definition (HD) Radio?

For information about HD radio visit our HD Radio FAQ page.

2.  How do I improve my reception of WRTI?

Poor reception can be due to any number of factors, including geography, atmosphere, signal strength, or your radio itself. The first step is always to reorient your antenna. If your radio doesn't have an antenna, consider getting one. An antenna that amplifies a weak incoming signal will often help. If an antenna is not in your future, try moving your radio to a different location: In general the higher the better.

3. I've heard a lot about satellite radio. What is it and how does it affect WRTI?

Satellite radio is a commercial service available on special receivers that consumers purchase for their cars or homes. These receivers connect to 100 channels or more from a satellite signal that is available across the U.S. While this means that you can listen to channels from across the country, we believe it also takes away one of the most meaningful aspects of radio; localization. If you tune into a channel from another city, you won't hear WRTI's local programming, including information about upcoming concerts in your town, or the weather, or news from your area on satellite radio.

We believe that our relationship with the WRTI community, and the localization of our content, is an essential part of what makes our public broadcast service valuable to our listeners.