Towpath Radio NEWS RELEASE: Pirate Radio Hijacks Towpath Radio’s New FM Signal
Written by Towpath Radio on June 18, 2025
GRAND RAPIDS, OH — June 18, 2025
A mysterious broadcast calling itself “Pirate Radio 98.7 FM” has unexpectedly taken over the newly launched FM signal operated by Towpath Radio. The broadcast appeared earlier this week without formal announcement, airing an unpredictable mix of classic country, oldies, classic rock, and occasional musical curveballs.
The signal, which can be heard clearly throughout the Grand Rapids area, but fades away outside of the village, is accompanied by cryptic messages from a figure calling himself Captain Static. The self-proclaimed rogue has claimed responsibility for the takeover via a string of posts and intercepted “transmissions,” some of which have even found their way onto Towpath Radio’s social platforms.
Listeners have also reported that a new stream titled “Pirate Radio” has quietly been added to both the Towpath Radio app and the Stream 419 app, operating alongside Towpath’s main stream. How this additional channel came to exist remains unclear.
“I’ve claimed this frequency, and I’ll play whatever I please,” reads one message attributed to Captain Static. “Towpath’s still running somewhere… but for now, the river runs with pirates.”
Towpath Radio staff have remained mostly quiet on the development, neither confirming nor denying involvement. Some speculate it’s a nod to the town’s past—Grand Rapids High School once called the Pirate its mascot—while others believe something more spontaneous is at play.
For now, Towpath’s regular programming continues uninterrupted online at TowpathRadio.com, while Pirate Radio sails on 98.7 FM and through select app channels (Stream 419 available for Apple and Android), playing an unpredictable soundtrack for anyone within earshot.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in while they can.
