Written by: Camelia.Trahan@unt.edu
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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