Frequently Asked Questions

What is Radio Heartland?
Radio Heartland is a new Web-and HD Radio- service that features The Dale Connelly Show weekday mornings from 6:00 - 9:00 a.m., and acoustic and Americana music throughout the rest of the day. Radio Heartland will be available in the Twin Cities on HD Radio, and worldwide on the Internet.

How can I hear Radio Heartland?
Starting Dec. 12, Radio Heartland will stream on www.minnesotapublicradio.org and on www.radioheartland.org. It will be broadcast in the Twin Cities on 91.1 KNOW HD2. Information about Internet connectivity through your computer is available at in General Audio Help section. Information about how to buy HD radios and Internet radios is available at PublicRadioMarket.org

How is Radio Heartland Funded
To provide any of our radio services, we draw on resources of the entire organization. This means that when a listener contributes to Radio Heartland, for example, that revenue becomes part of the operating resources for all of MPR. The support is not restricted to just Radio Heartland.

All of our services share space and staff. We also share support staff and services, including engineering, marketing, operations, membership, finance and human resources.

Efficiently sharing resources the only way we are able to operate all of these services for you. The financial support members provide is combined and leveraged across the entire organization.

How We Track Member Preferences
When you contribute to MPR, every dollar is considered "unrestricted". Even so, we want to know what you prefer to listen to, so we ask you. The results are interesting. Most members listen to more than one service, and many listen to everything. When you tell us your preferences, we take this information seriously and use it as a guide to identify the most pressing needs we face when we set the budget. The goal is to have a family of healthy, growing radio services that continue to be worthy of your support.

You can help ensure that success by making a contribution at www.radioheartland.org, or by calling 1-800-227-2811.

What will be on during The Current's and Classical Minnesota Public Radio's morning drive times instead of The Morning Show?
Beginning on December 12, The Current and Classical MPR in greater Minnesota will fill the morning hours with their regular formats. The Current will begin a nationwide search for a new morning drive host; The Current's Steve Seel will serve as the show's interim host. Greater Minnesota classical stations will hear Classical Music hosted by John Birge.

I live in Greater Minnesota. How can I listen to Radio Heartland and hear The Dale Connelly Show?
Radio Heartland will be available via the Web at www.minnesotapublicradio.org and www.radioheartland.org.

Why don't you put The Current on the HD Channel and have the new music programming on the analog 89.3 KCMP FM signal?
While we are excited by the potential for Radio Heartland, we are also committed to the continuation and future growth of The Current. We believe our audience is best served by keeping The Current on our standard broadcast channels, and launching Radio Heartland on the Internet and on HD radio.

What is HD Radio?
HD Radio© is a new digital technology that brings AM and FM broadcasts to life with unprecedented sharpness and clarity. HD Radio© also enables stations to "multicast" up to three channels per analog frequency. In this way, radio stations can offer new programming without having to build new radio transmitters, or obtain new broadcast licenses.

Do I need a new radio to receive HD Radio channels?
Yes. Local electronics retailers have a variety of HD Radios for sale, including tabletop and car stereos. You can also review and purchase new HD Radios by following links on our Web site, www.minnesotapublicradio.org, or by going to publicradiomarket.org

Do I have to switch to HD Radio, like I have to switch to HD TV (or get a converter box)?
No, there is no federal mandate to switch to HD Radio. However, HD Radio allows more programming options on frequencies, so a HD Radio provides more listening options.

What other offerings do you have on HD Radio?

Wonderground Radio  89.3 KCMP HD2 Listen (Windows Stream)

Classical 24  99.5 KSJN HD2

Radio Heartland  91.1 KNOW HD2 Listen (Windows Stream) Listen (MP3 Stream) BBC News and More  91.1 KNOW HD3

Our decision to develop Radio Heartland and offer it on one of our HD Radio channels in the Twin Cities means that we will no longer offer Ahora on KNOW 91.1 HD3 after December 11. There are no additional HD Radio offerings of Radio Heartland in Greater Minnesota at this time.

Are you offering rebates on HD Radios?
No, but we are investigating ways to offer membership premiums on HD radios.

How do I get an HD radio?
HD radios are available at publicradiomarket.org where a portion of your order will also support Minnesota Public Radio. HD radio receivers for your home and car are sold at Best Buy, Target, Radio Shack, The Sharper Image and Wal-Mart and range in price between $99 and $200.

Why is The Morning Show going off the air?
Jim Ed Poole told us this past spring of his plans to retire, so we began planning for the future. After extensive consideration, we have decided to offer our audiences more consistent programming on The Current and Classical Minnesota Public Radio stations. Recognizing the loyalty and support of long-time fans of The Morning Show and considering the opportunities enabled by new technologies, we are investing in a new Web-exclusive radio service, Radio Heartland.

Why won't The Morning Show continue with Dale Connelly and a new host?
We feel that the pairing of Jim Ed Poole and Dale Connelly was the soul of The Morning Show. While we know there will be disappointment from the show's longtime fans, we're certain that lovers of folk and Americana music will be eager to hear The Dale Connelly Show when it premieres on December 12.

What will happen to recordings of The Morning Show? Will they be archived?
Programs of The Morning Show already archived on www.minnesotapublicradio.org will continue to be available there. MPR is in the process of archiving its 40-year history's worth of taped broadcasts.

Are there any plans for a Best of The Morning Show CD?
We currently have a Best of Keepers CD that was produced a couple of years ago. If you are not a Member, you can become one and get a CD.

No new CD will be produced. The Morning Show's archives will continue to live on www.minnesotapublicradio.org.

Is this decision related to the current economic situation?
No.

Can I apply for 89.3 The Current morning host position?
We encourage anyone who is interested to apply.

Why should I support MPR now that you've cancelled my favorite program?
Minnesota Public Radio depends on listener support to make possible everything we do. We understand your loyalty to The Morning Show, and we urge you to listen to Radio Heartland on digital radio in the Twin Cities (KNOW 91.1 HD2) and on the Web at www.minnesotapublicradio.org and www.radioheartland.org anywhere. We also trust that you appreciate other programming that Minnesota Public Radio provides.