FCC approves sale of KTRU tower, license to UH

FROM RICE NEWS STAFF REPORTS

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced April 15 approval for Rice University to sell the KTRU tower, license and frequency to the University of Houston. The FCC noted that the grant of the application is ”consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity.”

Rice reached an agreement last October to sell the license, 50,000-watt tower and frequency for $9.5 million to UH for use by public radio station KUHF. Rice also will receive six paid student internships at KUHF for each of three school years.

The new outlet will be used by KUHF as a second station serving the Greater Houston community. The plan is to broadcast 24-hour classical music and fine arts programming on 91.7 FM (KUHA) and to convert its current station, 88.7 FM, to a 24-hour news and information format (KUHF). The contractual closing for the sale is pending and the date for the transfer of the tower, license and frequency is to be determined.

Rice University’s Student Association and Graduate Student Association formed a committee of students and administrators to gather student input on priorities for up to $6 million of the sales proceeds. The committee has submitted recommendations to Rice President David Leebron. In addition, the KTRU student organization has submitted recommendations for using up to $1 million for programming and technology improvements and campus activities.

KTRU began as a student experiment. It was chartered in 1970 and began broadcasting at 91.7 FM in May 1971 with a 10-watt signal under a license granted to the Rice Board of Trustees by the FCC. The station began stereo broadcasts in October 1973, and its signal was increased several times before reaching its current strength in 1991. Will Robedee, who was hired in 1998 as the station’s first general manager, will continue in that role with the online and HD station.