KNKX

KNKX
City Tacoma, Washington
Broadcast area Seattle metropolitan area
Branding 88.5 KNKX
Slogan Jazz, Blues and NPR News
Frequency 88.5 MHz FM (also on HD Radio) 88.5-2 FM Jazz "Jazz24"
Translator(s) (see article)
First air date 1966 (as KPLU-FM)
Format Jazz/NPR News
ERP 68,000 watts
HAAT 707 meters (2,320 ft)
Class C
Facility ID 51199
Callsign meaning "Connects"
Former callsigns KPLU-FM (1966–2016)
Affiliations NPR
Owner Friends of 88.5 FM
Webcast KNKX Web Player AAC+ PLS
Jazz24 Webstream (HD2)
Website knkx.org

KNKX (88.5 MHz) is a public radio station in Tacoma, Washington. As a National Public Radio affiliate, it airs a jazz and news format for the Seattle metropolitan area. The station is owned by Friends of 88.5 FM, a community-based non-profit group. KNKX was established in 1966 as KPLU-FM by Pacific Lutheran University (PLU). It is one of three full NPR member stations in the Seattle area, the others being KUOW-FM and KVTI, an outlet of Northwest Public Radio (though KVTI can't be heard in most of Snohomish County because of interference from KSER).

KNKX broadcasts in HD.[1]

Logo prior to August 31, 2016

KNKX broadcasts from West Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah Alps with a power of 68,000 watts. Studios are located in both Tacoma and Seattle. KNKX runs jazz programs middays, evenings and overnight, and carries a variety of NPR programs in other dayparts, including All Things Considered, Morning Edition, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me and Fresh Air. The locally produced BirdNote airs every morning. Those who listen online or using an HD radio can choose either the regular station feed, or listen to "Jazz24," a 24/7 free online jazz station.

History

The station was founded on November 16, 1966 as KPLU-FM.[2] It was primarily run by university students and played jazz, blues and other music not usually heard on commercial radio stations. Originally, it broadcast from a tower on campus that was only 140 feet tall, so its coverage area was mostly in Tacoma and adjacent suburbs, inaudible in Seattle.[3] Over time, the station added news programs from NPR to its schedule. It improved its coverage area, both by increasing its power and relocating to a tower that is 2320 feet (707 meters) Height Above Average Terrain. And for listeners outside the Tacoma-Seattle area, it set up eight translators and simulcast stations.

On November 12, 2015, Pacific Lutheran University announced its intention to sell the station to the University of Washington, which also operates KUOW-FM.[4] The Seattle Times noted that PLU spokeswoman Donna Gibbs denied reports that the sale was motivated by financial problems at the university, although in September 2015 Standard & Poor's had reduced PLU's bond credit rating from "BBB" to "BBB-" with a forecast of "negative."[5] But "public outcry" opposed the sale, fearing KPLU's unique programming would be sacrificed if it became a sister station to KUOW-FM. On November 23, the KPLU advisory board voted unanimously to oppose the sale.[5] The board sought to negotiate with a community-based non-profit group, Friends of 88.5, to raise $7,000,000 to buy the radio station and its network of translators and rebroadcasters from the university, keeping it independent.[6] By May 26, 2016, some 17,000 supporters met the goal. Friends of 88.5 began negotiating with PLU to purchase the station.[6]

On August 12, 2016, it was announced that the station would adopt the new call letters KNKX (pronounced as "connects"). The new call sign went into effect when the station officially changed hands from Pacific Lutheran University to Friends of 88.5 on August 30, 2016[7][8]

Translators

KNKX is also carried on the following satellite and broadcast translator stations to improve reception of the station:

The West Seattle translator serves portions of Seattle that are shielded by hilly terrain from the main KNKX signal.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Falk, Tyler (May 9, 2016). "Future of KPLU’s popular jazz stream hinges on fundraising campaign". Current. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Radio KPLU To Begin Broadcasting". Morning Mast. XLIV (7). Pacific Lutheran University. November 11, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  3. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-227
  4. ↑ KUOW Staff. "PLU Says It Intends To Sell KPLU 88.5 FM To KUOW Public Radio". KUOW. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Kiley, Brendan (November 23, 2015). "‘A kick in the teeth’: KPLU advisory board opposes sale to KUOW". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Supporters of Tacoma-based KPLU reach $7 million mark in bid to buy station". The Olympian. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ Connelly, Joel (August 12, 2016). "Listener-rescued KPLU public radio dons new call letters—KNKX". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  8. ↑ Kiley, Brendan (August 31, 2016). "KPLU officially begins broadcasting as KNKX". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 31, 2016.

Coordinates: 47°30′14″N 121°58′34″W / 47.504°N 121.976°W / 47.504; -121.976

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