Administrative History

KBYU-FM (1946-) is a nonprofit, listener-supported radio station in Provo, Utah, dedicated to providing inspiring and enlightening programming that reflects the timeless standards of Brigham Young University.

KBYU-FM (Radio station: Provo, Utah), also known as Classical 89, began broadcasting in 1946 as KBYU-AM 660. It was run by programming students just on the campus of Brigham Young University.

Professor T. Earl Pardoe first proposed the idea of a campus radio station to a student named Owen S. Rich who previously worked as a studio engineer. Rich, having just returned from serving as a radio and radar technician for the Coast Guard in World War II, decided to work with the city of Provo in using the power-line network as the radio station's antennae, and in 1948 KBYU became available citywide.

In 1958, just as FM transmissions were emerging as the industry standard, various BYU construction projects meant that KBYU studios would lose access to Provo power lines and a new means of broadcasting needed to be found. Owen Rich, now a member of the BYU faculty, received approval in 1960. However, the KBYU call letters were assigned already to a liberty ship, so in May of 1960 BYU began FM broadcasts as KBRG, but was eventually assigned as KBYU-FM in November of that year.

KBYU-FM now serves over 110,000 listeners in the Greater Salt Lake Valley and in Utah, Davis, Weber, and Box Elder counties, as well as some additional outlying areas. Managers for KBYU-FM have included: Owen Rich (1960), Lynn A. McKinlay (1960-1963), Gene Henderson (1963-1966), Leland H. Stott, Jr. (1970-1973), Jay Sheldon Monson (1973-1979), and Walter B. Rudolph (1979-).

Citation:

Brigham Young University telephone directory, 66-67: p. 2 (Gene Henderson program director) 70-71: p. 7 (Leland H. Stott, Jr. manager) 73-74: p. 5 (Jay Sheldon Monson program manager) 79-80: p. 5 (Walter B. Rudolph program manager)

Classic 89, website viewed August 1, 2011 (nonprofit and listener-supported; provides inspiring and enlightening programming; began broadcasting in 1946; Owen S. Rich started using Provo power-lines; BYU construction warranted FM switch; first began on FM as KBRG; serves over 110,000 listeners)

A History of Broadcasting Education at Brigham Young University to 1962, 1973: p. 130 (Lynn McKinlay station manager)

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records: