WHOV-FM is a non-profit, non-commercial radio station serving the interest of the Hampton University community, the citizens of Hampton Roads and the surrounding metropolitan areas. Radio station WHOV had it’s beginnings in 1941 as a carrier current station whose signal was limited to designated buildings on campus. It remained a carrier current station until 1964 when it became the first black federally licensed educational FM radio station among historically black colleges and universities. Then operating 17 hours a day, 365 days a year, WHOV was granted a power increase by the Federal Communications Commission on July 1, 1992 to increase to 10,000 watts(e.r.p)—8000 vertical and 2000 horizontal. The increase in power brought with it among other things, a frequency change to 88.1FM, wider audience, and larger public scrutiny. The station remains unique from most as it is student run and professionally managed.  In June 1996 WHOV increased its daily broadcasting hours from 17 hours a day to 19 hours by adding the extremely successful Gospel Express to its weekday programming. In October of 2004 due to Hurricane Isabel WHOV’s transmitter was severely damaged and the station was knocked off the air for approximately 3 weeks. Quick action by the university in response to this dilemma allowed for the purchase of a new more powerful transmitter. Advised by the company that it would benefit the transmitter to stay on 24 hours, WHOV then began to broadcast 24 hours a day by adding overnight programming.

WHOV-FM, “The Voice of Hampton University” prides itself on its wide and diverse musical, instructional and informational formats. Its immediate audience includes the faculty, staff, and students of Hampton University as well as adults and professionals, youth and teenagers and more. The station can be heard in administrator’s offices, cafeteria, student center, and all residence halls. The station can be heard in all the major cities that make up the Hampton Roads Community as well as parts of North Carolina and areas of the Eastern Shore. WHOV has approximately 55,000 listeners across Hampton Roads and consistently ranks as the area's #1 college station in this market. WHOV's morning drive program, the Gospel Express Morning Show, is one of the area's highest rated programs in its format beating all of the area's commercial and non-commercial stations. Their weekend "Hispanic Sounds" program ranks as the #1 radio broadcast for Latin Americans in Hampton Roads.

WHOV broadcasting 24 hours a day has a variety of musical formats. Recognizing that the music industry has changed over the years, so has WHOV. At one time primarily a jazz station, the station now has three main formats of gospel, jazz and hip-hop/R&B. We also recognize our Hispanic community and play Latin Music in all of its forms, reggae, blues, and traditional jazz. A station that has something for everybody, true music fans can tune in and appreciate the variety found on WHOV.  It is crucial that WHOV-FM continue to inform the public of the events surrounding them. In that effort WHOV News gives updates at the top of every hour. WHOV also has a wide range of talk shows that will stimulate your mind including “He Said, She Said”-a love and relationship talk show, The HU Coffee Break- a student produced talk show about issues in the community and many more.

WHOV is also the Home of Hampton University Football and Men and Women’s Basketball following the teams across the country and into the playoffs. Ranked the 12th Best College Radio Station in The Nation by The Princeton Review in 2003, WHOV was the only Historically Black College or University to achieve that honor. The station currently boasts a roster of over 60 students who work in some major capacity with the station and accepts community volunteers as well. These people are the life blood of WHOV and are what makes us as great as we are. Their dedication, creativity, hard work and love for this genre of media allows WHOV to continue to compete in this market as well as set new trends everyday. Just ask the many students who have gone on to successful careers in radio, TV, newspapers and magazines, advertising, public relations, music and more. We also boast many alumni who are lawyers, doctors, teachers and the list goes on and on. Experience, the new standard of excellence, always taking it to a higher level, we are the Nation’s Number One College Radio Station, “The Voice of Hampton University” WHOV- 88.1 FM.

Mission Statement

Radio station WHOV-FM is a non-commercial, educational station owned and operated by Hampton University. It serves as practicum for Hampton University students who participate in radio broadcasting. Of equal importance is its mission to promote the total educational program of the university. Beyond the confines of the college, the station must fulfill its obligation to “operate in the public interest, convenience and/or necessity” as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission

In carrying out its mission, WHOV must adhere to the highest standards of professionalism in its total operation (management, programming and on-air performance). The teaching/learning process should be an integral part of the foregoing. Staff members involved in teaching must set the example for professionalism and demand a high quality of performance from the students who are learning.

The purpose of these guidelines is to establish a reasonable and orderly format for the efficient operation of the station. A document such as this cannot encompass all contingencies that may arise relative to the operation of the station; however, it will facilitate the elimination of problems based on rumors and hearsay. Every individual in a well-run operation should have the privilege of dissent and or difference of opinion. The professional way to deal with such matters is through honest consultation, compromise and resolution.