Idaho Radio News Etc.

Here’s a January, 2009 item (second story on page) from the NPR Ombudsman that involves KBYI, the university station for BYU-Idaho. It is, as you would imagine, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ for Later-Day Saints.

My question involves the amount of public funding, if any, for the public radio station in Rexburg Idaho run by BYU-Idaho. The reason is, it is the first public station I have heard that is at least 40% filled with religious items. In this case Mormon religious programming. Seems to me that if public funding is involved, then is that right? Thanks Lynn Houdyshell

As the NPR Ombudsman points out, KBYI is not an NPR member station (like Boise State Radio and many others), but does pay to air some NPR programming.

NPR sells its programming to KBYI, even though it is not a member station, because it was determined that KBYI’s overall programming is devoted to “programming of good quality for a general audience which serves demonstrated community needs,” according to NPR’s guidelines.

Public Radio stations can get government funding, of course – but they do so through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The relationship between NPR and CPB (or on the TV side, PBS and CPB) might seem symbiotic, but it’s not. Funding from CPB can be used to buy NPR programming, or for any of a variety of other things. In KBYI’s case, the station does not take government funding.

The Federal Communications Commission just approved a big rulemaking document that affects a raft of frequencies across Idaho. As part of the decision, KZDX/99.9 The Buzz will have to leave its current dial position behind for a new slot at 93.5 FM. KZBQ/Idaho Country 93.7 will shift to 93.9 FM – and KQEU/Arrow 107.1 will slide up to 107.9

Our FCC expert Oldtimer has the breakdown:

WINNERS in IDAHO

- Sand Hill Media’s KSNA 94.3 a C2 licensed to Rexburg Idaho swaps channels with co-owned KUPI at 99.1 thus giving it an improved signal over Idaho Falls.
- Sand Hill’s KUPI takes over the frequency of BYU-Idaho’s KBYI at 100.5 which will give it a transmitter site near Idaho Falls and thus coverage over both Idaho Falls & Pocatello.
- Sun Valley Radio’s KLZX 95.9 licensed to Weston ID upgrades to a C3 from an A and moves to 99.9.
- Simmons owned KOAX 107.3 C2 licensed to Kemmerer WY becomes a move-in to Shelley Idaho covering Idaho Falls & Blackfoot.
- College Creek, another Chris Devine entity, has their Ashton Idaho Fm construction permit changed from 96.5 class A to 104.5 which will allow it to move closer to Idaho Falls & Rexburg.

LOSERS in IDAHO

- The community of Soda Springs loses its only local FM as it moves to Wilson (Jackson) WY at 100.1 as a C3.
- BYU-Idaho’s KBYI is forced to change frequencies from 100.5 to 94.3 despite its objections to the FCC.
- KZBQ Pocatello changes frequency from 93.7 to 93.9 despites its objections to the FCC.
- KZDX Burley changes frequency from 99.9 to 93.5.
- KQEO Idaho Falls changes frequency from 107.1 to 107.9
- Vacant channel 105.1 class A at Dubois ID to 96.5 class A