The Baton Rouge Progressive Network (BRPN) applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a low power FM community radio license in 2000. Although a construction permit was originally awarded to BRPN in 2004, it took many years of work for the station to become a reality. WHYR, a low power community radio station began broadcasting in Baton Rouge in June of 2011. We are currently awaiting the FCC's decision to become a full power station.

June 2000: BRPN applies to the FCC to operate a low power FM radio station.

September 2004: The FCC awards BRPN a construction permit for a low power FM radio station and assigns the call letters WHYR-LP.

November 2005: An unaffiliated entity, who also applied for a permit in 2000 but did not receive one, files unauthorized documents with the FCC to transfer control of WHYR-LP to them. This other party hijacked BRPN's electronic account at the FCC without BRPN's knowledge or consent and illegally transferred control of WHYR-LP to themselves without the FCC's authorization. 

March 2006: BRPN becomes aware of the unauthorized transfer and alerts the FCC. BRPN hired an attorney and filed several legal petitions to the FCC calling for investigation and reconsideration. This spanned March of 2006 through December 2009. 

October 2007: While waiting for the FCC to rule on the status of the WHYR-LP license, BRPN applies to the FCC for a full power non-commercial educational FM radio license during another short, rare and highly competitive window for these types of applications. 

January 2010: The FCC ruled that BRPN is the legal license holder of WHYR-LP and returned control of WHYR-LP to BRPN giving BRPN until the summer of 2011 to construct the station and begin broadcasting. The FCC also fined the unauthorized party $20,000 for their actions. 

February 2011: BRPN forms the Community Advisory Board (CAB) to make managerial and operational decisions related to the station.

February 2011: A transmission site is secured.

March 2011: Antenna purchased.

April 2011: Transmitter and STL equipment purchased. The website www.whyr.org is launched.

June 2011: WHYR hosts first annual Radiopalooza event at Beauvoir Park. 

June 2011: WHYR begins broadcasting local music mixes on June 24, 2011.

August 2011: WHYR introduces specialty shows, local talk shows, hosted music shows and syndicated shows to the programming grid.