Sunday, October 21, 2012

KGOU: the National Public Radio source on OU campus

Since 1983, the KGOU radio station has been broadcasting over the University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City metropolitan area as public radio. Based in Copeland Hall, the station operates a full service, airing news and music programs.

During the current week, KGOU is running its membership drive to collect pledges of support, another drive is held during April. As a non-commercial radio, it is not allowed to sell advertising space; consequently, private donations from listeners are the most precious source of funding for the radio. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting devolves to KGOU $15 per hour of service while the University of Oklahoma gives about $36 per hour, on the other hand the operating expenses for the radio are $125 per hour. According to its 2011 financial statement, KGOU collected more than $450,000 in memberships.
The radio relies on syndicated programs produced by other local or national public radio such as NPR and PRI, homemade shows concern in large part the Oklahoma community. KGOU’s programming schedule comprises three local newscasts and two music shows. Moreover, the radio is also committed in foreign affairs reporting:
“Although our newscasts are principally locally oriented, the tight links of KGOU with the College of International Studies allow us to provide thorough international news,” said Jim Johnson, program manager at KGOU.
The audience making pledges of support is not the only one regarding the radio’s service, Kate Carlton, trainee at KGOU, expressed her enthusiasm working there.
“I’ve always been a great fan of national public radio and I’d like to work there in the future.” She added that she strongly believes in public radio’s value because it is unbiased and accurate in giving the news.
Though KGOU is run by a small group of people, their perseverance and professionalism made possible the radio to grow up and reach 64,000 listeners.

Overview of KGOU Radio's activities with sound bite by KGOU General Manager Karen Holp, 1:58 

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