subject: Kut Radio Stations: Keep Austin Wired [print this page] Austin's KUT radio station is a public radio station.Owned and operated by the University of Texas at Austin, KUT focuses on broadcasting mostly locally-produced music programming and news, as well as some NPR, PRI, and BBC broadcasts.
Three-letter call numbers started falling out of use in the 20's, when four-letter call numbers were introduced to help accommodate the growing number of radio stations.Originally, radio call signs were used by telegraph stations so that the telegraph operators could identify themselves without having to spell out their full name or location.Regulations passed by the federal government in the early teens ensured that these three-letter call signs were assigned formally, to prevent overlap.International agreements were made to allot initial letters to various nations.The United States was given the letters N, W, and KDA to KZZ (KAA-KCZ were initially given to Germany and were not assigned to the US until 1929).
KUT was given its call letters in 1925, under the control of the Physics Department at the University of Texas.Under the management and direction of Professor Simpson L. Brown, programs went on the air between 8 to 10 pm three nights a week, with programming ranging from University Symphony concerts, to discussions and lectures by faculty.But by 1927, the station expenses exceeded the available funding, and it was dismantled not to reappear for another 30 years.
In 1958, the station was given an air license through the University of Texas, this time through the School of Journalism.And it has been operating ever since, celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2003.In 2002, KUT News was established and has since become a recognized leader in new reporting for Central Texas, winning 12 Edward R. Murrow awards for journalistic excellence.
Each week, nearly 500,000 people tune in to KUT broadcasts or visit their online productions. And like other public radio stations, it is taking the lead on HD radio, with the inclusion of two HD radio channels. HD radio is considered by some to be them most significant advance in radio broadcasting since the introduction of FM stereo.This technology enables broadcasters to deliver additional channels within a single frequency.KUT 90.5-2 provides public radio programming from NPR, Public Radio International, American Public Media, and the BBC news.HD channel 80.5-3 is KUT's all-jazz frequency.In addition to providing additional content not available on traditional frequencies, HD Radio provides CD-quality sound.
Some of the popular local music shows include Larry Monroe (with Blue Monday, Phil Music, and other programs), Eklektikos with John Aielli, Music with Jay Trachtenberg, Folkways, Left of the Dial with Jeff McCord, and Texas Music Matters, with David Brown, covering the developments within the Texas music industry.KUT features several locally-produced news shows, including Latino USA with Maria Hinojosa and In Black America with John Hanson.
