KFFP-LP

Broadcast area North Portland
Branding Freeform Portland
First air date April 15, 2016
Power 100 Watts
Webcast Listen Live
Website freeformportland.org

KFFP-LP (90.3 FM, "Freeform Portland") is a low-powered listener supported Independent radio station in Portland, Oregon.[1] It broadcasts live programming at 90.3 FM 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It first began broadcasting live in April 2016.[2]

Freeform radio

Freeform Portland is modeled after WFMU in Jersey City, New Jersey, the longest running freeform radio station in the United States.[3] Freeform radio is a radio station programming format in which the disc jockey is given total control over what music to play, regardless of music genre or commercial interests. Freeform radio stands in contrast to most commercial radio stations, in which DJs have little or no influence over programming structure or playlists.

History

During 2013, Common Frequencies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to community radio,[4] applied for and was granted a low-power FM license from the FCC. In December 2014, Freeform Portland registered with the state as a nonprofit and held their first meeting. There were three volunteers present during the meeting. They discussed the mission of the station, which was to create an outlet for music and art enthusiasts to gain access to the airwaves.

Between January and April 2015, Freeform Portland hosted benefit shows and prepared for the launch of their Indiegogocampaign. Ken Freedman, general manager of WFMU, recorded a video in support of Freeform Portland during the initial fundraising period of the station, stressing the importance the community building aspect of the genre.[5]

May 2015 saw Freeform Portland kicking off their Indiegogo campaign to purchase station equipment. They had over 20 volunteers and their overall station goal was to raise $7,500 in donations.[6] The fundraiser surpassed its goal and raised $11,500.

Freeform Portland continued to search for a future home during the months of June through October 2015. During that October, Freeform Portland were introduced to Jen and Mark Pendergrass, who run the Baker Building at 5511 N Albina Ave in North Portland. By November, Freeform Portland set up their studios within the historic 1912 landmark.

The first programming meeting for Freeform Portland was held in December 2015 during which the topics of discussion were; program philosophies, including 24/7 programming with a rotating schedule every 6 months to bring in new DJs with eclectic tastes and various experience levels in radio.

Prospective DJs submitted their show applications to Freeform Portland throughout the months of January–March 2016. The programming advisory board reviewed each application and solidified Freeform Portland's first schedule. The schedule was 24/7 music and arts programming, and consisted of roughly 50% women and various shows supporting the LGBT community including, but not limited to, the Deep Lez Power Hour, and genres that span French pop, noise, hardcore, metal, rock, indie, electronic, no wave, new wave, post punk, local Portland bands, and many others. By this time, Freeform Portland had grown to over 100 volunteers.

On April 1, 2016, Freeform Portland had its soft launch via online streaming only and on April 15, 2016, Freeform Portland threw its launch party, during which their radio engineer, Dave Fulton, flipped the transmitter switch.

Freeform Portland is the only freeform radio station in Portland.

References

  1. ↑ "About - Freeform Portland". Freeform Portland. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  2. ↑ "Turn the Dial to Freeform Portland, the City's Newest Community Radio Station". Portland Mercury. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  3. ↑ "LCD 21 | A Brief History of Freeform Radio". www.wfmu.org. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  4. ↑ "Common Frequency". Common Frequency. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  5. ↑ Freeform Portland (2015-05-13), WFMU + Freeform Portland = BFF 📻❤️, retrieved 2016-11-23
  6. ↑ "Freeform Portland: Low-Power FM Radio That's Fun!". Indiegogo. Retrieved 2016-11-29.

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