WHAV

📖 About

WHAV (97.9 FM) is a non-commercial, low-power public radio station licensed to serve Haverhill, Massachusetts, and the broader Merrimack Valley region. Owned and operated by the nonprofit organization Public Media of New England, Inc., the station functions as a vital grassroots community asset. It provides independent local news, municipal updates, public affairs talk programming, and a distinctive music format featuring classic oldies spanning the mid-20th century. By prioritizing local issues, civic affairs, and hyper-local storytelling, WHAV fills a crucial information gap in a region historically underserved by major Boston-centric commercial broadcast networks. The station's modern incarnation spiritually inherits the legacy of Haverhill's original pioneer commercial station, which was launched in 1947 by The Haverhill Gazette. After decades of ownership changes, frequency shifts, and call-sign alterations under various commercial entities, the historic WHAV identity was successfully revived when Public Media of New England secured an FCC construction permit for a low-power FM license. The station officially returned to the airwaves in September 2016, restoring the historic call letters to Haverhill and establishing a community-backed public media hub supported by local volunteers, donors, and interns. Broadcasting from downtown Haverhill, WHAV-LP transmits on 97.9 MHz with community-focused programming that includes syndicated content from networks like Pacifica Radio and the Associated Press. In addition to traditional analog FM radio coverage, the station expands its reach through public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable television audio feeds, a 24/7 digital internet stream, and mobile platforms, ensuring robust accessibility for listeners across the Merrimack Valley and worldwide.

📋 Details

🔗 Follow