FCC approves transfer of WPSU licenses to WHYY Philadelphia

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized the transfer of WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM broadcast licenses from Penn State University to WHYY Philadelphia. This regulatory approval clears the primary hurdle for WHYY to acquire the broadcast properties, which serve approximately 1.5 million residents across central and northern Pennsylvania.

WPSU has provided public radio, television, and educational programming to the region for over 70 years. While the Penn State Board of Trustees initially voted to shut down the station in September 2025, a subsequent deal in October facilitated the sale to WHYY.

Following the completion of the transaction, WHYY will operate the stations under the existing WPSU name and call signs. WHYY President and CEO Bill Marrazzo stated that the goal is to ensure the region maintains a “strong, independent and noncommercial public media voice” that remains locally focused and responsive to its communities.