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