Celebrating WQED

Picture it: driving through the ‘Burgh on a sunny day with the windows down, your favorite radio station playing something sweet and melodic – as it always does. Sometimes, it just feels better to unplug your phone and listen to something classic, something authentic, and something from — and by — the community. That’s the spirit of WQED, the only community-owned multimedia resource in this region.

In 1954,WQED became the nation’s first community-supported television station. Then, in 1973, Classical WQED-FM was founded as the region’s only 24-hour classical radio station. Today, consistent with its mission, WQED changes lives by creating and sharing outstanding public media that educates, entertains and inspires. WQED’s rich content reaches the community through five television programming streams and three radio streams. Learn more about the station’s vibrant history here.

With its station and headquarters on Fifth Avenue, WQED is an essential part of Pittsburgh’s East End, and to Pittsburgh as a whole. Like WQED, Franklin West, Inc. has its roots in Shadyside. Founded in 1964, Franklin West, Inc. is an active supporter and partner of WQED.  When you call Franklin West, Inc. (412-661-1151) you will always get a live person — no voicemail here! However, if you were ever to be put on a brief hold, you will get to listen to the ever-enchanting sounds of WQED 89.3 FM, “the voice of the arts in Western Pennsylvania.” Beyond classical music, WQED also highlights retrospectives, tributes, community events, and celebrations.

As a non-commercial public station, WQED thrives from the support of the community. If you love the station as much as we do, or simply would love to support Pittsburgh’s cultural keystone, you can become a member today! A minimum of $5 a month will help WQED continue its mission of educating and celebrating the community — and it will reward you with the WQED passport, which allows you to watch any PBS show streaming on demand.

There’s always something happening within the station and on the airwaves. See everything WQED offers here, and we hope your relationship with WQED flourishes just as it has with Franklin West, Inc.