Iowa Public Radio

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Iowa Public Radio is a radio network in the U.S. state of Iowa that combines the operations of current Public Radio stations run by Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa. They broadcast programs from National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media, along with local content (notably music) on weekends and evenings.

Contents

[edit] Building a Statewide Network

Until 2007, Iowa's three state universities each operated their own set of radio stations, each with slightly different program offerings and coverage areas. The three universities had begun to compete somewhat as each station sought to expand its coverage area. In late 2004, the Board of Regents voted to merge the three radio operations. The first network to launch was a News and Information service in January 2007, followed by a Classical service in September 2007. Nighttime Adult Alternative programming that had already aired on several stations was renamed "Studio One" and will be carried on future stations.

Since IPR came into existence decades after FM became popular, the dial was already full in most areas, limiting the potential for new stations and leading to inconsistent coverage. Some cities can receive several IPR stations, while areas of western and southern Iowa can only receive a weak signal from one of the network's two AM stations during the daytime. This has resulted in ten of IPR's fifteen fully-licensed station carrying a mix of networks.

IPR is positioned to expand. One of the main concerns since IPR's launch has been a lack of coverage in western Iowa, and pending applications for new stations would add service to that region, though IPR is in competition with other organizations for those frequencies. In addition, eight construction permits have already been issued for new stations, many of which will add coverage of southern Iowa. IPR signed on its first new station as a network, KUNZ in Ottumwa, on March 21, 2008, and plans to sign on a second Ottumwa station later in the year.

[edit] Member Stations

Ames/Des Moines

WOI 640 AM - News

WOI-FM 90.1 FM - Classical, News (5-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.)

KDMR 88.9 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.) [serves Mitchellville/eastern Des Moines metro]

K269EJ 101.7 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.) [translator of KUNI]

Carroll

KWOI 90.7 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Classical (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.)

Cedar Falls

KHKE 89.5 FM - Classical

KUNI (FM) 90.9 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.)

Dubuque

KDUB 89.7 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.)

K254AE 98.7 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.) [translator of KUNI]

K269EK 101.7 FM - Classical [translator of KSUI]

Fort Dodge

KTPR 91.1 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Classical (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.)

Iowa City

WSUI 910 AM - News

KSUI 91.7 FM - Classical

Lamoni

KOWI 97.9 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Classical (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.)

Mason City

KRNI 1010 AM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.)

K214BA 90.7 FM - Classical [translator of KHKE]

KUNY 91.5 FM - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.)

Ottumwa

KUNZ 91.1 FM - Classical

Quad Cities

K233AA 94.5 FM Davenport - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.) [translator of KUNI]

K271AF 102.1 FM Eldridge - News (5 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Alternative (7 p.m. - 5 a.m.) [translator of KUNI]

[edit] Future Stations

The Universities that make up Iowa Public Radio hold construction permits for the following stations:

Fairfield

KUNJ 88.1 FM

Marion

NEW 89.9 FM

Oskaloosa

KCNJ 89.5 FM

KOSK 91.5 FM

Ottumwa

KUNE 88.3 FM

KDWI 89.1 FM [to sign on in mid-2008, carrying the News/Information network during the day and the Alternative service at night, will also serve Oskaloosa and Fairfield]

Perry

KDWT 91.7 FM [fringe signal to Des Moines and Ames]

Quad Cities

KWNJ 91.1 FM

[edit] New Station Applications

During a filing window for new stations in the non-commercial portion of the band (88-92 MHz) in October 2007, the Universities that make up Iowa Public Radio applied for new stations in Atlantic, Keokuk, Mason City, Rockwell City, Shenandoah, Sioux City, and Storm Lake. However, all of these applications are in competition with other groups.

[edit] External links

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NPR Member Stations in the state of Iowa
Stations