| In a time when even Clear Channel is being | | | | programming is wildly diverse, with shows |
| bought by another radio conglomerate, | | | | dedicated to different music genres, talk |
| commercial radio is becoming less regionally | | | | shows on many topics, and some Spanish |
| distinct, with a handful of radio announcers | | | | speaking programs as well. Any member of the |
| beaming their voices across the country from | | | | Austin community can apply for their own |
| one central location, and losing all local | | | | radio program. Many shows, such as the swanky |
| flavor in the process. Luckily for Austin, | | | | Saturday morning favorite, "The Lounge Show" |
| there are three different noncommercial radio | | | | and the garage rock and power pop stalwart |
| stations to choose from:KVRX, KOOP, and KUT. | | | | "Stronger Than Dirt", have been on the air |
| | | | since the station's inception over 13 years |
| KVRX is the only Austin-based radio station | | | | ago. Recently KOOP radio has had an |
| operated and managed solely by UT students. | | | | unfortunate rash of fires, with the second |
| The station began in 1988 as KTSB, after a | | | | one in February of 2006 taking out the entire |
| couple years of lobbying the university. | | | | downtown building that contained their |
| Though KUT is also run by UT, it has very | | | | offices. In January of this year, a |
| little student involvement. KTSB originally | | | | disgruntled volunteer was charged with arson |
| was only available via an audio feed through | | | | after he admitted starting a fire causing |
| cable television, but in 1994 the station | | | | $300,000 worth of damage, from which KOOP is |
| officially changed its call letters to KVRX, | | | | still recovering. |
| and purchased the last remaining FM band. As | | | | |
| opposed to commercial stations, KVRX promotes | | | | KUT has been the radio station for the |
| diversity in musical genres, with their motto | | | | University of Texas since 1922. Today, it is |
| being, "None of the Hits, All of the Time." | | | | Austin's National Public Radio station, and |
| The only programming stipulation the station | | | | also hosts several music programs throughout |
| requires is for the on-air staff to play a | | | | the day. John Aielli was hired on in 1965, |
| minimum of five different music genres and | | | | and his show Eklektikos is one of the |
| two Texas artists every hour. The station | | | | station's most popular. Along with playing a |
| also works closely with many local clubs, | | | | wide array of musical styles, Aielli has many |
| promoting up and coming bands, and releases a | | | | guests drop by the studio for an interview, |
| series of annual CDs called "Local Live", | | | | from Carol Channing to Timothy Leary. The |
| featuring artists the station captured | | | | station has a live performance from local and |
| playing live in their studios throughout the | | | | touring acts drop in almost every day. In |
| year. They have since dumped the awkward | | | | November of 2007, NPR chose KUT as one of |
| cable casting for web casting, so new DJ's | | | | twelve national stations to launch NPR Music, |
| get their feet wet working over the internet | | | | a new music discovery website. All partners |
| before they hit the air waves. | | | | will provide content including live concerts, |
| | | | studio sessions, features and reviews. |
| The same year KVRX went live on the last FM | | | | Through this new site, KUT will be able to |
| frequency, so did KOOP, Austin's community | | | | provide worldwide insight on Austin music, |
| radio station, which actually shares the same | | | | and help promote local acts in front of a |
| 91.7 frequency that KVRX uses, with KOOP | | | | much wider audience, something that seems |
| mostly broadcasting during daytime hours, and | | | | harder and harder to find through local |
| KVRX during the evenings. Though KOOP has had | | | | commercial radio. |
| its fair share of internal struggles, the | | | | |