Public radio has long rewarded contributors with tote bags and other swag, but with budgets tight and federal funding under increased threat, New York Public Radio is trying something different. It has teamed up with the hipster clothing brand Only NY to develop a line of apparel and accessories that will be sold.
The t-shirts and sweatshirts celebrate the 100th anniversary of WNYC-AM/FM (820/93.9). Each features vintage logos and poster designs from the station’s century on the air. The items include imagery from a 1940s subway campaign; a throwback to WNYC’s time as a TV broadcaster with the “Voice of the City” logo, a show hosted by John F. Kennedy, Jr.; and artwork from WNYC’s 1995 Independence Campaign, which saw the station transform from a city-run radio station into the independent, listener-supported media organization it is today.
The lineup includes t-shirts that retail for $48 and a hoodie that sells for $98. The station also says that no tribute to public radio could do without a tote bag. The Only NY collection has one of those too, which retails for $48.
“Through this exciting partnership with Only NY, we’re celebrating not just our history, but the millions of New Yorkers who’ve made us part of their daily lives,” says Kenya Young, Senior VP of Programming and WNYC Studios. “For a century, WNYC has been the soundtrack of NYC. We’re excited to invite New Yorkers to wear these designs as we celebrate both our history and our future.” New York Public Radio did not say how much money they would get from each piece of clothing sold.
Micah Belamarich and Julian Goldstein, the co-founders of Only NY, say they couldn’t be happier with how the radio-centric collection turned out.
“To have the opportunity to collaborate with an organization that we grew up listening to as lifelong New Yorkers makes this Centennial celebration that much sweeter with WNYC,” Belamarich and Goldstein say in a joint statement. “We are forever grateful to be able to partner with and further tell the stories of such culturally rich institutions here in our city.”
The entire collection can be purchased HERE.
The 100th anniversary of WNYC has come at a critical time for the station. Like many other public radio outlets, the station has struggled with layoffs and budget cuts. In September, WNYC cut 8% of its staff as it faced a $12 million budget shortfall. But the New York Public Radio 2024 Centennial Gala, hosted by comedian and TV host Seth Meyers on Nov. 19, helped raise $2.1 million for the public media company.
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