Underwriting Policy

(August 7, 2011)

WRBB 104.9 FM is a Class-D Educational Station and as such cannot broadcast advertising messages. However, we do provide an alternative, known as Underwriting. Underwriting is in its simplest form a charitable, tax-deductible donation made in exchange for a periodic announcement of that donation over our airwaves (see below for underwriting announcement guidelines). WRBB, like many radio stations, television stations, and other non-profit media outlets across the country, relies on underwriting to offset our costs and provide a good learning and working environment for our student DJs.

By making an underwriting donation to WRBB, an organization has a chance to spread their message to our listener base of more than 15,000 Northeastern University students as well as alumni of the University, and to the Boston community at large. WRBB is broadcast locally on the FM dial and over the Internet, so your message will be heard across the globe.

An organization making an underwriting donation to WRBB has several options for their message. It may be written or prerecorded, and written messages may be read by DJs live over the air or recorded by WRBB’s staff using our state-of-the-art production facilities for an additional fee. Further, a message may be 15, 30, or 60 seconds long. We will also post an announcement on our website’s main page informing the public of your support of WRBB. Our pricing scheme breaks down as follows:

We are very grateful to our supporters, and we provide a $200 price reduction to returning donors on donations over $1000.

Underwriting Guidelines

Underwriting, as mentioned above, follows some specific guidelines prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These rules state that an underwriting message must be informative – that is, the message must be informational, not commercial. For example, it is OK to include the name of the underwriting organization, their contact information, and a description of their services; however, we cannot announce any prices, give any call to action (“Visit ABC Company today!”), or use superlative or comparative language (“ABC Company is the best!” or “ABC Co. is better than/just as good as XYZ Co.”). If you are more familiar with advertising than with underwriting, we will be happy to help you present your message so as to mesh with the FCC’s regulations.

Making Your Donation

Your underwriting donation to WRBB 104.9 FM will be made through the Development Information Systems office at Northeastern University, as per the University’s regulations. From there, it will be transferred directly to support the station.

In addition to underwriting, WRBB accepts traditional charitable donations, which can be anonymous or announced on our website.

We here at WRBB greatly appreciate your support! If you’d like to make an underwriting donation, please contact us at news@wrbbradio.org (Autumn, Winter, and Spring) or at promo@wrbbradio.org (Summer). Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns. We also offer other options; please let us know if you have any ideas for your donation.

Thank you!