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OSU's New KOSU Now Serving Oklahoma City And Central Oklahoma

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Public Radio Capital and nationally recognized, award-winning KOSU 91.7 FM “Oklahoma Public Radio” announced the completion of a new 1,110-ft tower and High Definition (HD) broadcast facility serving more than 1.3 million listeners in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and north central Oklahoma.

Public Radio Capital (PRC), which broadens the reach of public radio nationwide through partnerships with educational institutions and public broadcasters, has built the new tower and HD broadcast facility. PRC has entered into an agreement with Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) non-commercial station KOSU to manage and operate the new facility.

“PRC has worked with educational institutions and broadcasters for several years to secure new channels for public radio and assist with capital projects,” explained Marc Hand, managing director of Public Radio Capital. “PRC was established to help stations like KOSU expand its public service. Just as the Trust for Public Land steps in to buy a property to preserve land for public enjoyment, this was an opportunity to build a facility to provide an important public broadcasting service in central Oklahoma,” added PRC managing director, Susan Harmon.

This project extends KOSU’s reach into the Oklahoma City Metro and the central Oklahoma area. The construction of the new facility began in early June.

“The expansion will create new avenues of understanding and civic dialogue when the station’s news and information is available statewide,” said Craig Beeby, director and general manager of KOSU. “The KOSU expansion initiatives are part of the university’s commitment and leadership toward extending higher education and public service to all Oklahomans.” Beeby said.

“KOSU has attempted to serve the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas long distance with our one facility since 1971,” Beeby continued. “The station’s ultimate goal is to improve service in all directions.” The new station facility provides the opportunity to improve the signal strength into the major metro areas as well as many rural areas not served before by public radio or KOSU.”

"One of the primary missions at Oklahoma State University is outreach to Oklahoma. The KOSU expansion is an extraordinary opportunity," said Dr. David Schmidly, President and OSU System CEO. "The expansion extends our campus outreach beyond the physical boundaries of the university grounds making it accessible by simply tuning 91.7 FM on the radio dial. It is a historic day for radio in the state and a great way to celebrate KOSU’s 50th anniversary." Schmidly said.

In another project, PRC and KOSU teamed up to improve the quality of the signal serving the Tulsa metropolitan area and northeast Oklahoma by purchasing a radio station and converting it to 107.5 KOSN, a noncommercial public station.

“The two stations will allow KOSU to become not only a statewide network but a regional resource. It’s exciting for our listeners,” Beeby said.

The next three development projects include an improved signal in the southern part of Tulsa, a new signal in Okmulgee, and an improved signal in northern Oklahoma. With these three projects KOSU is waiting to receive approvals from the Federal Communications Commission so that PRC can complete the construction.

 

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ABOUT PUBLIC RADIO CAPITAL
Public Radio Capital (PRC) has a primary purpose: to partner with educational institutions and local broadcasters to broaden the reach of public radio to millions of listeners. In addition to this major project in Oklahoma, PRC has already achieved results in preserving and expanding public radio in California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. Other PRC projects will target new arrangements and program services in at least 15 other states within the next few years.

ABOUT KOSU 91.7 FM
KOSU 91.7 FM is listener supported and owned and operated by OSU. KOSU is a public radio station serving the state since 1955. As the first National Public Radio member station in Oklahoma, KOSU’s mission is to provide quality programming from OSU to significant audiences as well as to be a vital source of information, ideas, and cultural experiences enriching people’s lives through lifelong learning. The station has a full-time State Capitol correspondent, is recognized nationally for news journalism excellence, and is known internationally for outstanding management. KOSU programming can be heard on the web at KOSU.org. Listeners with questions and comments may contact KOSU via email using kosu@kosu.org.

Craig Beeby, Director & General Manager
Oklahoma Public Radio KOSU
91.7 Stillwater, Oklahoma City
107.5 Ketchum, Tulsa
Oklahoma State University
405-744-9973
kosucbb@okstate.edu
Listen Live - www.kosu.org

KOSU Awards Total - 238
"National Championships" for Broadcast Journalism Excellence Total - 16
Serving Oklahoma Since 1955
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