UNT KNTU Radio Adds New Antenna and HD Equipment | College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
January 5, 2023

UNT KNTU Radio Adds New Antenna and HD Equipment

The University of North Texas radio station KNTU has completed a multiyear project with the installation of a new antenna atop KNTU's broadcast tower located in north Denton.

"The new antenna replaces a nearly 40-year-old antenna which will provide better radio reception for our listeners, said Mark Lambert, Program/News/Operations Manager. Many listeners have already contacted us to express their pleasure in being able to hear the station more clearly."

With the addition of the antenna and new high-definition (HD) equipment installed and currently operating, the Jazz station can now be heard on 88.1 HD2, while 88.1 indie is on 88.1 HD1. "KNTU Jazz never stopped playing; our listeners continued to support us by streaming it online at kntu.com," said Lambert.

The new signal has registered extreme development in its listenership with audience growth of its new alternative rock programming. Since its July '22 unveiling, the format ratings from Nielsen show the weekly audience has quadrupled from 20,000 to 80,000 people.

88.1 Jazz programming listenership has improved thru its online streaming in each Average Quarter Hour (AQH) category, which equates to the average number of persons listening to the station for at least five minutes during 15 minutes. "This activity suggests our previous audience has found their way to our jazz programming online, which we believe is due to the addition of the new HD equipment that has allowed us to regain listeners seeking a terrestrial signal and, hopefully, grow our audience," said Lambert.

The 2022-23 academic year marks the 75th anniversary of the Jazz Studies program at UNT, which is widely regarded as one of the nation's most respected and was the first-degree program of its kind in the field.

88.1 is operated by UNT students with oversight of four full-time staff members who design programming, schedule shows, run promotions, and put on live events on and off campus.

About KNTU (88.1 FM) is the campus radio station of the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. The signal of the station covers much of the Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex of North Texas with an alternative rock format. Any University of North Texas student is welcome to work at the station. KNTU also produces the UNT football, and men's basketball broadcast feeds for the Mean Green Sports Network, a radio property of Learfield.

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