FCC Approves WPSU License Transfer to WHYY

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 2:05pm CT

WHYY

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the transfer of WPSU's broadcast licenses from Penn State University to WHYY, clearing the principal regulatory hurdle for the transaction.

WHYY and Penn State said they will now proceed with the remaining steps required to complete the deal. Once the transaction closes, WHYY will operate WPSU's television and radio stations under their existing WPSU name and call letters.

The organizations said WPSU will continue serving approximately 1.5 million residents across central and northern Pennsylvania, maintaining its focus on local journalism, educational programming, cultural content, 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 WHYY President and CEO Bill Marrazzo. "The FCC's approval brings us significantly closer to making that commitment permanent."

Penn State Vice President for Outreach Larry Terry said the approval "brings welcome clarity about the future of public media in our region." "For generations, WPSU has been a trusted presence in the lives of people across northern and central Pennsylvania," Terry said. "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 between WHYY and Penn State. The organizations previously reached agreements for WHYY to acquire WPSU's operating assets, contingent on FCC approval of the license transfers and other customary closing requirements.

WHYY said the transition will combine WPSU's local relationships and more than 70 years of service with its own public media operations while maintaining WPSU as a locally focused service for central and northern Pennsylvania.