KU News Release

Kansas Public Radio to launch sister station in high definition

LAWRENCE — News junkies in northeast and central Kansas will soon have a new way to hear popular radio news programs, talk shows and entertainment shows.

On Sept. 15, Kansas Public Radio, based at the University of Kansas, will launch KPR-2, a programming service using high-definition radio. HD radio broadcasts a digital signal that “multicasts” using KPR’s existing transmitters. It will be available online or by using high-definition radios.

Retailers such as Radio Shack and Kief’s Audio/Video will carry or can order the radios, and listeners can order them online from Crutchfield.com, Tweeter.com or Amazon.com.

“This is an exciting opportunity to launch an entirely new radio station,” said Janet Campbell, general manager of KPR. “HD technology allows KPR to subdivide our signal and offer multiple streams of information and music. We feel that this is the direction radio broadcasting is headed, and we’re proud to take the lead.”

KPR-2 will carry news broadcasts from National Public Radio and the BBC; popular talk shows such as NPR’s “Talk of the Nation”; news shows “Marketplace,” “As It Happens” and “The World”; current KPR offerings “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered,” “Car Talk,” “A Prairie Home Companion” and “This American Life”; and some of KPR’s local music and entertainment programs: “Opera Is My Hobby,” “A Night on the Town,” “The Retro Cocktail Hour” and “Right Between The Ears.”

“KPR-2 provides an outlet for shows that don’t fit KPR’s regular format,” program director Darrell Brogdon said. “Many of our listeners have said they’d like to hear more news and public affairs programs. They can hear those now on KPR-2, along with their favorite KPR music and variety shows and some new shows that will expand KPR’s musical repertoire.”

About 35 noncommercial stations nationwide are using HD radio. KPR will be the first public radio station in Kansas to broadcast in high definition.

KPR will make a major push to educate the public about HD radio. A link on the station’s main Web page will feature frequently asked questions about technical aspects of the new service; information about the radios and where to purchase them; and links to listen to KPR-2 online. The link will be available Friday, Sept. 15.

“HD radio will change radio as drastically as FM did. It will take some time for the consumer hardware to be fully in place for listeners to gain the full benefit of HD radio. But when they do, they’ll certainly love what they hear,” Campbell said. “And that’s why we’re doing this: to give listeners more ways to enjoy Kansas Public Radio.”

KPR broadcasts on KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City and K210CR 89.9 FM in Atchison.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.