Rice University’s student-run KTRU-FM has launched on Pacifica Foundation’s KPFT’s 90.1 HD2 channel at 9:01 AM 2/14. Amid ongoing protests from listeners and students, Rice and Pacifica recently announced an agreement that allows KTRU to lease KPFT’s 90.1 HD2 channel. This, as KTRU’s sale to The University of Houston is still pending before the FCC for approval. UH plans to use it for a second NPR-branded station, with its current KUHF-FM (88.7) converting to an all-news format (KUHF News) and the current KTRU 91.7 frequency would offer Classical and fine arts programming with the calls KUHC. For now, KTRU also still airs on its 91.7 FM and online at ktru.org.
“As we face the prospect of transitioning off of FM, the KTRU student management believes that maintaining a terrestrial radio presence is critical,” said Kevin Bush, a junior at Rice who will become KTRU’s new station manager this spring.
KTRU has established an e-mail address for questions and comments from the public concerning HD radio: [email protected]. KTRU has also posted FAQs about HD radio at http://ktru.org/hdFAQ.shtml.
