There's good news and bad news for Rice University's student run radio station, KTRU.
Good news: The station, which is being kicked off its 91.7 FM frequency as a result of a controversial sale of its broadcast license and tower to the University of Houston, has found a new home. Beginning at 9:01 a.m. on Valentine's Day, KTRU will be heard on KPFT-FM's HD2 FM channel.
Bad news: Who has HD radio?
Rice University and the Pacifica Foundation, which oversees KPFT, announced an agreement that allows KTRU to use the HD channel for seven years. The agreement also allows KTRU to continue to broadcast on the Internet.
In a statement Rice University president David Leebron said an undisclosed portion of the $9.5 million sale of the tower and license will go to support the new endeavor. KTRU station manager Joey Yang said the KTRU staff has plans to give away HD radio receivers so that listeners can tune into the station. Listeners cannot hear the station on a traditional radio.
Those with questions about HD radio can email the staff at HDRadio@ktru.org.
The sale of the 91.7 frequency is currently under review by the Federal Communications Commission. The University of Houston plans to use it for a second NPR-branded station.
