KANU is the flagship station of KansasPublic Radio, a seven-station network based in Lawrence at the University of Kansas. In addition to KANU, KPR also operates full-power stations KANH in Emporia, KANV in Olsburg, and KANQ in Chanute ; and low-power translators K210CR in Atchison, and K258BT and K250AY in Manhattan. Together, the stations cover all of northeastern Kansas, as well as large portions of Missouri, including Kansas City. Flagship KANU provides much of the Kansas City area a second choice for NPR programming alongside KCUR. Its powerful 100,000-watt signal allows it to double as the main NPR station for the state capital, Topeka. From the KANU studio in Lawrence, KPR broadcasts mostly classical music, National Public Radio news, jazz, and folk/bluegrass music. KANH, KANV, K210CR and K258BT serve as full repeaters of KANU. KPR also operates an HD2 signal, which broadcasts a mix of National Public Radio and BBC news-talk programming. That signal is available online or with a special HD Radio. However, KANQ and K250AY broadcast the HD signal on a standard FM frequency. A subcarrier of all KPR’s signals broadcasts the Kansas Audio-Reader Network for the blind and print handicapped. The studios for both KPR and Audio-Reader are located in KU’s Broadcasting Hall.
History
KANU signed on for the first time on September 15, 1952. In 1961, it became the first noncommercial FM station to broadcast in stereo. It was a charter member of NPR, and was one of the 90 stations to carry the initial broadcast of All Things Considered in 1971. KANU won a Peabody Award in 1974 for its weekly hour "The American Past," hosted by journalism professor Calder Pickett. The program mixed audio clips and music of earlier times with historical narration, and was broadcast for 32 years until Pickett retired in 2005. The station also became known for classical music programs such as "Opera Is My Hobby," hosted by Dr. Jim Seaver weekly for 59 years and Dick Wright's "The Jazz Scene" on Saturday mornings. Current programs include the internationally syndicated music showThe Retro Cocktail Hour. In 2003, KANU adopted the more inclusive slogan Kansas Public Radio to its rapidly growing broadcast footprint.
