Public Broadcasting in America turns 50!

Public Broadcasting: A Half-Century of Public Service

During November, public broadcasting in America celebrates turning 50, and 91.3FM KUAF joins America in saluting this national treasure. In signing the Public Broadcasting Act in 1967, President Johnson expressed the hope that one day, public television and radio stations would satisfy “America’s appetite for excellence” and “enrich man’s spirit.”

That legislation created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which today supports nearly 1,500 public media stations across the country by distributing federal funding amounting to roughly $1.35 per citizen, per year.  At KUAF, this investment is critical to our operations. We leverage federal funding – many times over – to provide a welcoming space for important, fact-based national and international news coverage from NPR as well as a variety of music programs including classical, jazz, blues and folk/roots.

At a time when local news coverage is dramatically reduced in other media, KUAF and other public radio stations are expanding their journalism network, innovating in their storytelling and reaching audiences on platforms they prefer, anytime, anywhere.  In a recent survey, public radio stations have achieved the No. 1 ranking as the primary news source in 26 of the country’s top 50 markets. Nearly 100-million people a month tune in to their local public radio station and KUAF is one of the highest rated radio stations in northwest Arkansas. 91.3 is the top rated news station in our area. (Nielsen, Spring, 2017)

Meanwhile, the much-beloved national programs that we have carried through the years have educated, informed and inspired generations and strengthened our community, from NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered to Fresh Air and This American Life.

Local programs on KUAF like our daily news magazine ‘Ozarks at Large’ and the daily classical music program ‘Of Note’ explore important aspects of life in our communities. KUAF weekend programs like ‘Shades of Jazz’, ‘The Generic Blues Show’, ‘Pickin Post’, and ‘Jazz Travels’ provide variety unavailable anywhere else on the radio dial.

Despite the disruption and rapid changes shaping today’s media environment, public broadcasting’s mission is more necessary than ever. KUAF has been proud to support public broadcasting’s mission to west and northwest Arkansas for nearly 33 years. We look forward to continuing to help educate, inform and entertain thousands of KUAF listeners for decades to come.