KANU-FM
Encyclopedia
KANU is the flagship station of Kansas Public Radio (KPR), a seven-station network based in Lawrence
at the University of Kansas
. In addition to KANU (91.5 FM), KPR also operates KANH in Emporia
(at 89.7 FM), KANV in Olsburg
(at 91.3 FM, serving Manhattan
and Junction City
), K210CR in Atchison
(at 89.9 FM), K258BT (99.5 FM) and K250AY (97.9 FM) in Manhattan, and KANQ in Chanute
(at 90.3 FM).
Together, the stations cover all of northeastern Kansas
, as well as large portions of Missouri
, including Kansas City
. KPR serves as the main NPR station for the state capital, Topeka
.
From the KANU studio in Lawrence, KPR broadcasts mostly classical music
, National Public Radio news, jazz
, and folk/bluegrass music. KANH, KANV, K210CR and K258BT repeat that signal to their local areas.
KPR also operates an HD2 signal, which broadcasts a mix of National Public Radio and BBC
news-talk programming. That signal is available online or with a special HD Radio
. However, KANQ and K250AY broadcast the HD signal on a standard FM frequency.
A subcarrier of all KPR’s signals broadcasts the Kansas Audio-Reader Network for the blind and print handicapped. The studios for both KPR and Audio-Reader are located in KU’s Broadcasting Hall.
. In 1961
, it became the first noncommercial FM station to broadcast in stereo. It was a charter member of NPR, and was one of the 90 stations to carry the initial broadcast of All Things Considered
in 1971
.
KANU won a Peabody Award
in 1974 for its weekly hour "The American Past," hosted by journalism professor Calder Pickett. The program mixed audio clips and music of earlier times with historical narration, and was broadcast for 32 years until Pickett retired in 2005. The station also became known for classical music programs such as "Opera Is My Hobby," hosted by Dr. Jim Seaver weekly for 59 years and Dick Wright's "The Jazz Scene" on Saturday mornings.
In 2003, KANU adopted the more inclusive slogan Kansas Public Radio to its rapidly growing broadcast footprint.
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
. In addition to KANU (91.5 FM), KPR also operates KANH in Emporia
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
(at 89.7 FM), KANV in Olsburg
Olsburg, Kansas
Olsburg is a city in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States. The population was 192 at the 2000 census, unchanged from 1990. It is part of the Manhattan, Kansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Olsburg is located at ....
(at 91.3 FM, serving Manhattan
Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
and Junction City
Junction City, Kansas
Junction City is a city in and the county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,353. Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army post, is nearby...
), K210CR in Atchison
Atchison, Kansas
Atchison is a city situated along the Missouri River in the eastern part of Atchison County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 11,021. It is the county seat and most populous city of Atchison County...
(at 89.9 FM), K258BT (99.5 FM) and K250AY (97.9 FM) in Manhattan, and KANQ in Chanute
Chanute, Kansas
Chanute is a city in Neosho County, Kansas, United States. Founded on January 1, 1873, it was named after railroad engineer and aviation pioneer Octave Chanute. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,119...
(at 90.3 FM).
Together, the stations cover all of northeastern Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, as well as large portions of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, including Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. KPR serves as the main NPR station for the state capital, Topeka
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
.
From the KANU studio in Lawrence, KPR broadcasts mostly classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, National Public Radio news, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, and folk/bluegrass music. KANH, KANV, K210CR and K258BT repeat that signal to their local areas.
KPR also operates an HD2 signal, which broadcasts a mix of National Public Radio and BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
news-talk programming. That signal is available online or with a special HD Radio
HD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
. However, KANQ and K250AY broadcast the HD signal on a standard FM frequency.
A subcarrier of all KPR’s signals broadcasts the Kansas Audio-Reader Network for the blind and print handicapped. The studios for both KPR and Audio-Reader are located in KU’s Broadcasting Hall.
History
KANU signed on for the first time on September 15, 19521952 in radio
The year 1952 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*4 March: The Courier, the first seagoing radio station, is dedicated by president Harry Truman....
. In 1961
1961 in radio
The year 1961 in radio involved some significant events.-Debuts:*February 11 - KSHE debuts as a female-oriented rock station in St. Louis, Missouri.*April 12: WLKW/990-Providence, Rhode Island signs on as Rhode Island's only 50 kW A.M...
, it became the first noncommercial FM station to broadcast in stereo. It was a charter member of NPR, and was one of the 90 stations to carry the initial broadcast of All Things Considered
All Things Considered
All Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
in 1971
1971 in radio
The year 1971 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*2 January: A ban on radio and television cigarette advertisements goes into effect in the United States.*14 February: All of ABC Radio's FM stations change call letters, all on the same day:...
.
KANU won a Peabody Award
Peabody Award
The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. In 1939, the National Association of Broadcasters formed a committee to recognize outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting...
in 1974 for its weekly hour "The American Past," hosted by journalism professor Calder Pickett. The program mixed audio clips and music of earlier times with historical narration, and was broadcast for 32 years until Pickett retired in 2005. The station also became known for classical music programs such as "Opera Is My Hobby," hosted by Dr. Jim Seaver weekly for 59 years and Dick Wright's "The Jazz Scene" on Saturday mornings.
In 2003, KANU adopted the more inclusive slogan Kansas Public Radio to its rapidly growing broadcast footprint.