Columbia Radio! No, this isn't an all Shakira station, it's Columbia University's student run radio station. They mostly play jazz, but they play other stuff when they wanna. You can pick this radio station up on the FM dial if you're on the upper East side, but if not, you can tune it in on your smart speaker. Since this station is so far on the left side of the dial, it's a community run station, and therefore they can't play regular commercials like 101 Rock. Instead, they can only play public service announcements that tell you important messages like to look both ways before crossing the street, or don't huff paint. My favorite thing about this station is that when the campus administrators shut down the campus when they were having massive protests, regular reporters couldn't get in and see what was going on. That's where WKCR shone- their DJs acted like impromptu reporters, shining a light on what's going on around campus when it seemed like the dean was trying to cover things up and sweep away protests. Tune in, turn on, drop out! read more

They play some of the worst music I have ever heard. It .sounds mechanically derived. Its cacophonous

I was listening to this station one Sunday morning when other stations had on public affairs programming and they were playing what sounded like contemporary black music. To my surprise they aired uncensored songs using the "F" word, the "S" word, the "N" word and the "P" word for a woman's private parts. I wasn't aware that the FCC allows these words over the air. I looked up the station and it is Columbia University's radio station. Universities that get taxpayer funds shouldn't be broadcasting obscenities over the air. read more

On KCR's 72nd Anniversary I would like to offer thanks and praise to what is one of the most diverse listening experiences available in the New York Metro area. This isn't about just jazz or classical, KCR covers everything from Experimental Transfigured - Trip Hop - Funk - Middle Eastern Influences - Latin - Blues/Swing - Cultural Programing and of course Classical. The afternoon/evening shows with Phil Schapp come off a bit long winded giving what seem like dissertations on the artists, this can become tiresome if you just want to listen. Overnight this station pulls out all the stops with a wide selection of musical genres that open up a whole new world of otherwise rarely aired musical expression with little interruption. From The Web Site "WKCR-FM, Columbia University's non-commercial student-run radio station, is dedicated to presenting a spectrum of alternative programming--traditional and art music, spoken arts, and original journalism. Granted its FCC license in 1941, WKCR is both steeped in tradition and committed to innovation. In the New York area, the station can be heard at 89.9 megacycles in FM; worldwide, it streams online." Go out of your way to check KCR out! Night Train is a great show to start with it airs Tuesdays late night, check the web site for more info. read more

WKCR 89.9 FM - Logo - Radio Stations Near Me - New York, New York

Some people listen to NPR in the morning. Others, at least in New York City, tune into NY1 on the television. I wake up to the same song on my CD alarm radio every day -- Green Day's "Going To Pasalacqua" -- and once I've risen and made my way to the bathroom to shower, I tune in a portable radio to WKCR, Columbia University's radio station. Why? Jazz, man. WKCR is my kind of radio station -- heavy on the jazz and new music (the early afternoon new music show is amazing; right now, they're playing Peter Brotzmann, Willem Breuker, and Evan Parker's octet work "Machine Gun"... holy cow!) -- and the DJs are intelligent and well versed in the music they're playing. At times, the DJs can be long winded -- they know so much! -- so a shower can go by without hearing any music. But, like WNUR in Evanston, Illinois, this might be one of the better college radio stations in the country. Left of the dial, of course! read more

On January 1, 2016, WKCR stopped streaming its programming on the Internet. The station's ineffective board of directors has refused to issue any statements as to why this was done, what may happen in the future, or what, if anything, the board is doing to redeem itself with the station's loyal online listeners by restoring WKCR's Internet stream. Considering these facts, one star is too high a rating. WKCR's programming is wonderful and unique - if you can listen. But online listeners who have supported the station when it was broke have been left in the dark by the board of directors and the university. Under those circumstances, I can't in good conscience recommend supporting a non-profit radio station that has destroyed the trust it once had. Considering the deafening silence coming from those who control the future of WKCR, it's sad to see listeners and volunteers being slapped in the face, and to witness what may be the beginning of the end for one of NYC's best radio stations. read more

Hey they play at least ten different types of music or so.... Ted Panken, Mitch Goldman, and Liz are cool, and Phil Schapp and Sid Gribitz are knowledgable. I have even woken early on Fridays to listen to the hip hop show... Added bonus: they don't ask for money on the air (at least not on a regular basis like most other non- commerical stations). Thanks Peter Jennings! read more

the best jazz in new york early morning jazz program is the best bird flight with phil is awesome, it is like you are attending class in jazz university they also have great choral music programing and the sounds of china program on saturday mornings are great too read more