WSOU

About WSOU

SOU 89.5 FM broadcasts from the Seton Hall University campus and holds the status of a premier heavy music hub on the East Coast. Founded in 1948 as New Jersey’s first college FM station, it underwent a pivotal transformation on September 4, 1986, by completely shifting its format to heavy metal and hard rock. Today, its 2,400-watt signal firmly covers New York City and the surrounding areas, securing a weekly audience of over 120,000 listeners. This entirely student-run project successfully competes with major commercial networks by offering a quality alternative to mainstream radio.

The reputation of "Pirate Radio" is built on a phenomenal historical instinct for new talent. In the 80s, the station's airwaves became a launching pad for Slayer and Anthrax, and later provided the first significant rotation for Korn, Linkin Park, and System of a Down. The industry has recognized this decades-long contribution with induction into the Rock Radio Hall of Fame, the prestigious Marconi Award, and numerous platinum records from labels. WSOU remains a crucial link in the musical ecosystem, serving as both a guardian of genre traditions and an essential springboard for modern extreme music artists.

Station website