TCNJ

24 The College of New Jersey Magazine Radio stations can be subjected to fines or required to forfeit their license if they go silent. So when the pandemic hit in 2020, Potucek was deemed an essential worker. He went to the studio every day and managed to get some students and community volunteers on air remotely. Another big challenge at the station's 60-year mark is the increasing streaming and licensing costs. But it seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. On any given day, groups of friends can be found hanging out on the couch in studio, albums still line the shelves, and in fact, there's a resurgence of playing vinyl. "I even just put in a cassette player because people said they have cassettes they want to play," says Potucek. "I'm like, 'Are you kidding me?'" I REALLY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT MUSIC ALL THAT MUCH. I joined WTSR because I loved NPR and the community that radio creates — how are we getting people the information they need, and how can I use my skills to support that? COVID was terrifying. Everybody went home, and as station manager, I called an emergency meeting to discuss what that meant for us. We started more of a podcast platform, and then some people did projects where they talked to professors or collaborated with students in class. It was an interesting time because people could experiment, and we were all just trying to get by. Music MiX NINA NAVAZIO '20 Station manager Chappell Roan Diners half•alive Hippo Campus Phoenix Valley Polyester Hall Saint Motel Super Jack Talon The Happy Fits The Kennedy Curse Velvet Heart RADIO IS NOT THE POWERHOUSE it used to be. It competes with streaming services, where you can open your phone, go to YouTube or Spotify or Bandcamp, and pick whatever you want to hear immediately. Everyone has an instant news machine in their pocket, too. Visibility is a big thing for WTSR right now. We set up a small satellite station in the Brower Student Center and some DJs are broadcasting from there. That puts us front and center. Everybody passes through the student center. We're right next to the doors, so when you walk in, our studio is saying, "This is a thing that we do. We're still playing good music. We're fun on air, and you should listen to us." WTSR is still the best place on campus. I stand by it. Radio's not dying, and WTSR is going to be around for another 60 years. ■ Butcher Billy is a Brazilian illustrator who specializes in pop culture. His clients include Netflix, Marvel, and The New York Times. ADDIE DiPIETRO '27 Station manager

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