Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Site Navigation
Contact Us
Web FormPhone:
800-228-7123
Mail:
Member Benefits Team
480 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN USA 55101
More contact information
Press contacts
Radio Programs, Schedules and Stations
The Radio Listening section of our Web site contains everything you need to know about listening to our news and music services, our programs, stations, and live Web stream.Frequently Asked Questions About 89.3
What is The Current™?The Current is a 24 by 7 program service produced and distributed by Minnesota Public Radio. Minnesota Public Radio produces radio, internet and live programming and distributes the programming over KCMP 89.3 FM, in the Twin Cities and KMSE 88.7 in Rochester, MN. In addition, Southern California Public Radio broadcasts The Current on KPCC 89.3 FM, Pasadena, CA, on its HD Digital secondary channel. Some of The Current's programming is also distributed via podcasts.
How did you pay for 89.3 The Current?
Please see How Minnesota Public Radio is Funded.
Why did you choose to create 89.3 The Current?
We decided to create the new 89.3 by listening to audiences in our community. Listeners have told us repeatedly that they wish there were wider music choices available in the Twin Cities, comparable to some respected public radio stations around the U.S. We wanted to make a public radio station for them, and that is what we hope 89.3 The Current will be.
How does 89.3 The Current fit in with public radio?
Listeners to 89.3 The Current are curious, informed, educated and involved in their communities. Those are the traits shared by listeners to our classical music service and news and information service. There's something for everyone in all three services.
89.3 is a strong fit for public radio because it's capturing new music that defines our era - and its musical roots and influences. This music doesn't have a local outlet. Public radio reflects the communities it serves, and The Current will be doing just that by playing a consistent amount of local music and having musicians performing in our studios.
In addition, the concept for 89.3's programming reflects our mission of enriching the mind and nourishing the spirit, and assisting our audiences in strengthening their communities.
Why did you name the station "The Current"?
"The Current" reflects not only what is current or new, but also the flow of water or electricity. It reminds us of where we live and what we're doing. A current can also connect one person to another, which is what a broadcaster does. The Current reminds us of the Mississippi River and also the many lakes and rivers in our region - strong images that draw on this place.
Finally, the name reflects how our newsroom will use 89.3 to keep music listeners current on the day's events, on current affairs.
How would you describe the station's format?
89.3 The Current is a music station with a deep and wide playlist. The Current plays the best, authentic new music alongside music that explores roots and influences. The Current has a special emphasis on local musicians and groups, and will play local music in every hour. The Current will establish deep ties to the local music community and will serve as a positive force in building the creative economy of Minnesota.
There will be no commercials on 89.3. And since the station draws from the largest newsroom in the region, you'll also hear about things that are important to you.
We'll also play music our listeners request. People can call our request line at (651) 989-4893 or e-mail our studios at 893dj@mpr.org. Or they can connect to us through the Web - www.mpr.org - to make requests, voice their opinions, check out the latest updates and interact with our hosts.
What other stations around the public radio system are like KCMP?
While KCMP 89.3 will have a distinctive sound and local emphasis, several cities have public radio stations operated with member support where listeners can hear eclectic and contemporary music. Examples are stations like WXPN in Philadelphia, KCRW in Santa Monica, WYEP in Pittsburgh, KEXP in Seattle, WNCW in North Carolina and WFUV in New York. All these stations have strong listening and demonstrate ways that a locally focused music station featuring non-commercial but also non-classical music can thrive in the public radio field.
Describe your news and information offerings.
The station will have newsbreaks, interviews and special features that are integrated with the music programming and that are produced by MPR's innovative and award-winning regional newsroom.
How do I make a request, or contact a DJ?
Call the 89.3 request line at (651) 989-4893, or e-mail the 89.3 studios at 893dj@mpr.org.
How can I suggest new programming for the station?
E-mail our studios at 893dj@mpr.org or send us snail mail. Or post your thoughts on the 89.3 blog, accessible at www.mpr.org. We will take any and all suggestions seriously. One great thing about building a new station is how much help is needed from listeners - and we're counting on your help!
Can I hear 89.3 The Current outside the Twin Cities?
Yes. 89.3 will be streamed live via the Internet, so listeners anywhere in the world can hear our broadcasts, as they happen.
What's going to happen to The Morning Show?
In the Twin Cities, The Morning Show has moved to 89.3. Outside the Twin Cities, nothing changes. The Morning Show will remain on MPR's classical music stations outside the metro area.
Has The Writer's Almanac moved with The Morning Show to 89.3 FM, or is it staying on 99.5 FM?
We have no current plans to feature The Writers Almanac on 89.3. It will continue to be heard twice a day on 99.5 KSJN, during morning classical music programming and afternoon drive-time classical music programming.
Will The Morning Show change in order to fit in with the new format?
The Morning Show's eclectic blend of music fits well with 89.3. Listeners tell us that this popular morning drive-time program is ideal for the whole family. The Morning Show is incredibly popular with children, and MPR listeners of all ages.
Will Thistle and Shamrock be heard on the new station? What about Music From the Hearts of Space?
Thistle and Shamrock, and Music From the Hearts of Space are not part of the current programming plans for 89.3. You can access these shows via the Internet.
Will I be able to hear classical music on 89.3?
Classical music can be heard seven days a week, 24 hours a day on 99.5 in the Twin Cities. For the first time ever, audiences will have the choice of a full, round-the-clock schedule of classical music on KSJN 99.5, including classical music in the morning from 6-9 a.m.
What changes have you made to your classical music programming?
We're providing, for the first time in the Twin Cities, a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week Minnesota Public Radio classical music service.
In the Twin Cities, KSJN 99.5 FM now carries the morning drive-time classical music program hosted by Craig Curtis (6-9 a.m.). Throughout the region, listeners can hear several new programs hosted by former WCAL hosts. These include Friday Favorites, a request show hosted by Melissa Ousley (noon-3 p.m. Fridays); Classical Music with Bill Morelock (6-11 p.m. weeknights); and Classical Music with Steve Staruch (8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays; and 5-8 p.m. Sundays).
What programming will listeners in Rochester hear? What about programming on 89.3's repeater station in Rochester?
Minnesota Public Radio classical music station KLSE and news and information station program KZSE will carry the same classical music and news heard now. KMSE will carry the same music as 89.3, with one exception: from 6 to 9 a.m., listeners can hear the morning drive-time classical music program hosted by Craig Curtis.
Whom do I contact if I want to work at 89.3 The Current? Whom do I contact about internships?
Please contact MPR's Human Resources department at jobs@mpr.org. They'll refer candidates to our 89.3 staff.
I hear you did not get the financing you wanted from the City of St. Paul. How are you going to pay for this station?
We currently have a commercial loan from a bank, which means long-term taxable financing to pay for the station. Our preference is to use tax-exempt financing, because it is less expensive, and that would enable us to devote more resources to producing programming instead of paying interest. We're currently assessing our options in finding this tax-exempt financing.
I'm an MPR member, but I'm not interested in listening to this new station. Are my member dollars paying for it?
We are not using existing member dollars to buy 89.3. We borrowed the money to make the initial purchase, and will be asking 89.3 listeners to contribute funds to keep it rolling. There will be additional fundraising initiatives used to retire the debt we incurred for the initial purchase.
The new station will be housed in the St. Paul headquarters of Minnesota Public Radio. As with our existing Classical Music and News and Information services, space will be shared and scheduled as needed. Budgets are set based on the Strategic Plan approved by the Board of Trustees for all of Minnesota Public Radio. Funds contributed by listeners and underwriters support this shared facility, its support staff and on-air announcers. The funds contributed by listeners to 89.3 will go into the unrestricted funds pool that supports all the operations of Minnesota Public Radio, just as with those funds that are contributed by listeners to our other radio services.
Reception of 89.3 is poor in my area. What can I do?
| Clock or Table Radio | Car Radio | Stereo System | Portable Radios (Walkman) |
| Reposition the radio or extend AC cord | No suggestions | Attach T* antenna | Extend headphone cords |
| Attach T* antenna | Attach stereo system antenna | Upgrade device | |
| Upgrade radio | Attach system to external TV antenna |
*T Antenna - Available free from MPR
If the 89.3 reception is poor, here are some tips:
Car Radio: Car radios typically pull in stations better than home radios. But, because the car is moving, the reception consistency can vary quite a bit. There are no simple improvements that can be made to a car radio. Replacing the radio is no guarantee that reception will improve.
Clock or Table Radio: Many of these radios use the AC (power) cord for the antenna. Make sure the cord is fully extended (not bunched up). Some repositioning of the cord or radio may improve the reception. If your radio has an external antenna connection on the back, attach a simple wire antenna (available free from MPR).
Stereo Systems: There should be two connections marked "FM Antenna" where the two wires attach. If there is only one connection on the radio, then use the "FM antenna" connection for one wire of the antenna and the "ground" connection for the other. It works really well if the home stereo can be connected to an external TV antenna if the house has one already installed.
Portable Radio (Walkman): Use a headphone with a longer extended cord. You can check the Web for customer feedback on certain brands to determine which have better reception abilities. Sony products are usually a good bet. Reception with any portable device will not be consistent due to the way the Walkman is used.
PC Radio Card: If the card has an antenna connection, connect to an external antenna or TV antenna. A cable TV connection may work also, but not all cable TV systems carry the full FM band, so this is a "maybe" solution.
External Antennas:
- A "T" type wire antenna can also work, provided the listener is willing to experiment with positioning on the wall behind the receiver (has to be fully spread out to work).
- Terk is a brand that makes a number of amplified (boosted) indoor antennas that work very well and cost between $30 and $60.
- A "rabbit ears" antenna can help, though these can be fussy with positioning.
In the near future, The Current will have a digital signal in addition to the current analog signal (same frequency). Listeners with digital radios will be able to receive the digital signal more clearly than the analog. The coverage of the digital station will be approximately the same as the analog, but the digital will not be subject to fading and noise as the analog currently is when the listener is on the outskirts of the reception area. Please note that since this is a new technology, the options for digital receivers are currently very few, and it may be some time before these are readily available.
|
|
