KLRU

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KLRU
Austin, Texas
Branding KLRU. Austin's PBS
Channels 18/9 (UHF) analog,
22/20 (UHF) digital
Affiliations PBS
Owner Capital of Texas Public Telecommunications Council
Founded 1979 as satellite of KLRN
Call letters meaning K LeaRn U, variable of KLRN
Transmitter Power 1860 kW/335 m (analog)
Website klru.org

KLRU is the local PBS public television member station in Austin, Texas, in the United States of America.

The station began in 1979 as a satellite of KLRN in San Antonio. Before then, KLRN had served both cities from a studio on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. It began airing separate programming in 1984, though it continued under the ownership of KLRN's governing board, the Southwest Texas Public Broadcasting Council. In 1987, the two stations finally went their separate ways, with KLRU coming under the ownership of the Capital of Texas Public Broadcasting Council, which still owns the station today.

KLRU airs on cable channels 9 & 20 on cable systems in the Austin area.

In addition to showing content from other PBS stations, it produces some original programming such as Austin City Limits, which is rebroadcast nationally.

KLRU now broadcasts in both standard- and high-definition television formats.

KLRU also offers special cable channels to Austin-area cable susbscribers -- KLRU 2 for Time Warner subscribers and KLRU-G for Grande Communications subscribers. Both offer popular and alternative PBS programming at different times, plus an extensive children's schedule.

Contents

[edit] Major KLRU productions

  • Austin City Limits - Having showcased artists ranging from Willie Nelson to Sheryl Crow since its premiere in 1976, Austin City Limits champions performers who display exceptional musical and songwriting talents.
  • Texas Monthly Talks - Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith joins KLRU-TV for a series of interviews with celebrities, politicians, musicians and more. Produced by Lynn Boswell this program aims to provide more context to contemporary life in Texas.
  • The Biscuit Brothers - The Biscuit Brothers is a new 30-minute television series for children ages 3-7 that introduces musical concepts in an imaginative, high-energy, fun-filled way.
  • In Context - KLRU presents an exciting new series focusing on design, architecture, various artistic disciplines as well as all things strange and beautiful. The series will attempt to weave together questions and connections concerning design and how it affects our everyday lives and community.
  • Austin Now - A weekly series that examines people, ideas and issues that define our city. What makes Austin unique? Expect to see it on Austin Now. Each program will feature a changing mix of different subject areas ranging from politics to the arts.
  • Central Texas Gardener - Hosted by KLRU's Tom Spencer, Central Texas Gardener aims to help gardeners of all backgrounds make plant selections that respect natural resources and add beauty without excessive water, pesticides or fertilizers.
  • SXSW Presents - Join SXSW Presents for the second season of its popular feature and short film series, brought to you by the South by Southwest Film Festival and The Austin Chronicle.
  • Downtown - This series of 30-minute programs about downtown Austin began in spring 2005. It showcases the ongoing dynamic environment, history, architecture, people and arts that is downtown Austin.
  • Special Session - Hosted by Emmy Award winner Paul Stekler (Last Man Standing, George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire), this series weaves documentary and discussion to stay one step ahead of the legislation destined to affect our lives. The series is on hiatus with the legislature.

[edit] KLRU's Mission

Independent, free, mass communication is critical to crystallize issues, preserve culture and deliver educational opportunities for everybody. To this end, KLRU reflects, celebrates and inspires Central Texans through creative excellence, community engagement and life-long learning.

[edit] The Five Brands of KLRU

  • KLRU Presents - reveals the world of art and music through programs like PBS Great Performances, Masterpiece Theatre and American Masters. Austin City Limits takes center stage, bringing music from across the globe to the entire nation. Locally, KLRU's In Context focuses on the creative process and SXSW Presents brings the best in independent film.


  • KLRU Explores - takes viewers on an adventure examining the world through PBS programs like Nova, Nature and Antiques Roadshow. KLRU also produces local documentaries like Painted Churches of Texas, Austin Remember When and Las Misiones that give insight into the past and present of Central Texas.


  • KLRU Creates - gives viewers the skills they need to design a garden, cook a gourmet meal or fix their home. With programs like This Old House, Julia Child Cooks, Real Simple and Central Texas Gardener, KLRU Creates features the best quality programming in the How-To genre.


  • KLRU Connects - brings people together to hear different perspectives through locally-produced shows like Austin Now and Texas Monthly Talks along with PBS shows like Newshour with Jim Lehrer and Frontline. But KLRU goes beyond television to convene town hall meetings and events that allow people to discuss critical issues like childhood cancer, diversity and politics and find solutions to community problems.


  • KLRU Educates - provides Central Texas with iconic PBS Kids programs like Sesame Street and Zoom, local productions like The Biscuit Brothers and beyond television initiatives such as the KLRU Kids Club and Family Choice. KLRU also makes learning a life-long experience with PBS programs and projects like Ready To Learn and TeacherLine.

[edit] Logos

KLRN and KLRU dual branding from the early 80s before the stations ran independently of each other.

Current KLRU logo (as of 2006)

[edit] External links

Broadcast television in the Austin market  (Nielsen DMA #53)

KTBC 7 (Fox) - K09VR 9 (Ind/Bloomberg/Fuse) - KVAT-LP 17 (LAT TV) - KLRU 18 (PBS) - KADF-LP 20 (AZA) - KVUE 24 (ABC) - KGBS-CA 32 (Ind) - KXAN 36 / KXAM 14 (NBC) - KXLK-CA 40 (HSN) - KEYE 42 (CBS) - KBVO-CA 51 (TFU) - KNVA 54 (The CW/MNTV) - KAKW 62 / 31 (UNI)
Local cable television channels

KLRU2 / KLRU-G (PBS) - News 8 Austin
San Antonio stations licensed within the Austin market

KCWX 2 (The CW) - KNIC 17 (TFU)
Defunct Television Stations

K13VC (Ind)
PBS Member Stations in the state of Texas

KACV 2 (Amarillo) - KTXT 5 (Lubbock) - KUHT 8 (Houston) - KLRN 9 (San Antonio) - KCOS 13 (El Paso) - KERA 13 (Dallas) - KAMU 15 (College Station) - KEDT 16 (Corpus Christi) - KLRU 18 (Austin) - KWBU 34 (Waco) - KPBT 36 (Odessa) - KDTN-DT 43.2 (Denton) - KNCT 46 (Belton) - KMBH 60 (Harlingen)
See also: ABC, CBS, CW, Fox, MyNetwork TV, NBC, Telefutura, Telemundo, Univision, i, Religious, Independent, Home Shopping and Other Spanish stations in Texas
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