News from Rita and WFUV

[December 15, 2020 update: It is with great sadness that we at WFUV share news that we have lost Rita Houston, our much-loved program director and iconic DJ to generations of listeners: Rita Houston 1961-2020]

As WFUV announced earlier this week, Rita Houston will hand off her popular program, "The Whole Wide World," to a new weekly host, Delphine Blue, in the coming weeks. A member of WFUV’s air staff and a longtime favorite for New York music fans, Delphine will officially take the Friday night microphone in January.

"Delphine has the heart and soul of a true DJ," said Rita. "Her instincts make her the perfect host for 'The Whole Wide World,' a show that has pushed radio's traditional boundaries and been a home for fun segues and musical curveballs."

Rita will also step away from her daily responsibilities as WFUV’s program director to tend to her health and spend time with her family. In the weeks ahead, WFUV’s Eric Gottlieb will step in as interim program director. (Eric currently serves as assistant program director.)

“Our colleagues and audience alike will be sorry to lose Rita’s leadership and musical ear in our daily program development,” said Chuck Singleton, WFUV’s general manager. “Given her legacy at WFUV and the scope of her accomplishments, it doesn't seem adequate to say that she will be sorely missed. I know Rita will stay close with all of us at WFUV, and we won't be shy about asking for her guidance. She is very dear to our FUV family and the community of music lovers everywhere.”

For more than 26 years, Rita has played a key role in shaping WFUV’s programming vision. She is a two-time NonComm Program Director of the Year from FMQB and JBE, three-time designate of Gavin's Music Director of the Year, and recipient of the ASCAP Foundation’s Deems Taylor Award for Broadcast Excellence.