Sale of KTRU tower completed

FROM RICE NEWS STAFF REPORTS

The sale of the KTRU tower, frequency and license to the University of Houston (UH) was concluded today.

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. As part of the agreement, Rice will also receive six paid student internships at KUHF for each of three school years.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced April 15 that approving the application for the sale was “consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity.”

In preparation for completion of the sale, the transmission tower went off the air April 28. KTRU programming continues to broadcast on 90.1-HD2 FM and www.ktru.org.

KUHF plans to provide the Greater Houston community with 24-hour classical music and fine arts programming on 91.7 FM (KUHA) and 24-hour news and information on its current station, 88.7 FM (KUHF).

Rice’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, which began as a student experiment, was chartered in 1970. It started broadcasting on 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.