Transition Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What can listeners expect from this development?
A: Listeners will now enjoy increased transmitting power, a crisper broadcast signal, application of cutting-edge digital technology, more web streams of music programming, and increased interviews and in-studio performances.

Q: Will existing programming or format change?
A: No. The station remains committed to providing a wide variety of innovative music programming.

Q: Will station staffing change?
A: Listeners will continue to enjoy the same DJs and programs they know and love.

Q: Why change call letters from KCMU to KEXP?
A: To reflect a new era for the station and our ongoing commitment to an experimental and eclectic format celebrating diverse music.

Q: What is the history of the previous call letters 'KCMU?'
A: The 'KCMU' call sign was derived from the University of Washington building in which the station was once located (CMU). While KCMU is proud of its tradition, it hasn't been housed in that building since January 2000 and believes it is time to embrace a new name that better represents the spirit and future of the station.

Q: Will this change the listener-supported model?
A: Absolutely not. A core value of the station and an essential feedback mechanism of a quality, non-commercial radio station is direct support by a committed and interested audience of music lovers. The station will continue to rely on community support from organizations and listeners, building upon its long history of membership drives.

Q: Who controls station programming?
A: The University of Washington remains the license holder and controls station programming, as it has since the station's first broadcast almost 30 years ago.

Q: What technology initiatives are contemplated?
A: The station expects to pursue a broad range of technology-based efforts, including pioneering digital radio broadcasts (as soon as the FCC approves an approach), seeking to enable different user-driven mechanisms for driving and influencing general and personalized playlists. We are also looking toward partners to help create significant, publicly accessible non-commercial repositories of roots and other music and musicological data.

Q: Why does technology matter?
A: The station has long been a leader in improving both the accessibility and quality of music experience for listeners through technology. Now more than ever, technology is affecting the relationships between artists, publishers and listeners, as well as providing tools and interactive capabilities to enable the listener to have a much more active role in music.


Q: How has the station used technology to advance its programming in the past?
A: The station has already completed the first uncompressed CD-quality audio feed over the Internet, a 1.4 million bit per second signal providing a truly "audiophile" quality that is far higher than the FM broadcast signal. This initiative of using Internet technologies to improve the quality of music heard is in major contrast with the radio industry's use of highly compressed Internet approaches.

In addition, the station also pioneered the use of MP3 as an Internet broadcast stream and will implement the higher quality descendents of MP3s as they are released.


Q: Why establish a relationship with Experience Music Project?
A: EMP is an extraordinary, internationally important, nonprofit cultural institution, with the same values and educational, preservation and outreach aims, as well as many of the same interests as the station and the University of Washington. Partnering creates enormous synergies that support our related missions.

Details of the partnership include annual financial support from EMP to help subsidize the radio station's ongoing operations, and rent-free use of the new high-tech studio in Seattle. Some possible collaborations might include:

Q: How is The Allen Foundation for Music involved?
A: In conjunction with the EMP relationship, The Allen Foundation for Music will provide up to $600,000 over four years for the University of Washington. Through collaboration between the UW School of Music and other departments, KEXP 90.3 FM and EMP, the Foundation's grants will be used to support music education and public programs.

Q: What is Paul Allen's role?
A: Mr. Allen, who is the co-founder of EMP, is a fan of the station as well as a lifelong music lover and musician. Through the Paul G. Allen Foundations and EMP, Allen generously supports a variety of music, arts and popular culture programs nationally and regionally, including at the University of Washington.