KMUW differs from commercial radio stations in a number of significant ways:

First, KMUW's programming--much of which originates from National Public Radio--is more diverse than a typical commercial radio station's. The "sound" of KMUW is distinctive; jazz and eclectic are important music elements. The schedule is punctuated with news and discussion programs that are longer in segment and more broad-based in subject matter.

Because of the nature and diversity of its programming, KMUW publishes a monthly program magazine, which describes program content and presents articles about the people, programs and issues featured on public radio. You may receive a complimentary copy by calling KMUW, (316) 978-6789. Also, please check out the programming section of this website for more information.

Membership is yet another difference. KMUW holds two pledge drives each year, typically in April and October. Listeners are invited to interact directly with the station to provide critical financial support. This direct contact with the listener/supporter allows KMUW a chance to survey its audience. Questionnaires are mailed to subscribers at various times of the year in an effort to sample needs and opinions.

KMUW Facts
Call letters: KMUW(FM)
Studio location: 3317 East 17th Street, Wichita, Kansas
Frequency: 89.1 megahertz FM
Power: 100,000 watts
Transmitter site: 37th Street North and Hillside, Wichita, Kansas
Radius of signal: 60 miles
Date on air: April 26,1949
Hours of operation: 24 Hours

Mission Statement

Wichita Public Radio is a trusted source of local, national and world news, providing its audience with a broad discussion of ideas, and a distinctive blend of diverse music and entertainment, while operating as a significant public service of Wichita State University. 

Vision

To fulfill its mission of public service, Wichita Public Radio will expand the reach and quality of its local news and information programming to become the standard for local reporting of substantive issues, current events of interest to the community and coverage of the arts in and around Wichita; define its local music programming focus to reflect its mission to provide a unique blend of jazz, blues, world and adult-acoustic-alternative, with consistency of style, content and quality of presentation; reflect the core values of public radio in all programming elements; maximize staff capabilities through station-wide application of the core values of public radio, ongoing skills training, and continuing education opportunities to deliver identified results; evaluate allocation of resources within the station's key strategic areas to meet growth opportunities identified by the strategic plan;  provide staff with contemporary and reliable technology to develop and deliver content to better serve the audience through various delivery systems; develop a strong, diverse and reliable resource base to adequately meet the current and future demands of the station.

Core Values

Qualities of the Mind/Intellect  

• Love of lifelong learning: A desire to learn something new every day

• Substance: Expand understanding of and connection with the world

• Curiosity: The need to dig deeper, to ask why, not just what

• Credibility

• Accuracy

• Honesty:  Listeners trust that we are non-manipulative, non-sensational

• Respect for the intelligence of the listener

• Purpose: A clear understanding of why we do what we do

Qualities of the Heart and Spirit

• Humor: Always has a purpose and is never mean-spirited

• Idealism: We believe in our power to find solutions

• Inspired about public life and culture

• Civility – Belief in Civil discourse

• Generosity: Content has center stage and the guest is the star

Qualities of Craft/Excellence in our use of the Medium

• Uniquely human voice: conversational, authentic, intimate

• Pacing: deliberate, thoughtful, appropriate to the substance of the content

• Attention to detail:  music, sound elements, language
  

Successful programs can mix these qualities in a variety of ways but all three categories must be present.  It is the fusion of these three sets of core values that creates public radio's "signature" sound and the fundamental appeal of our programming to core listeners.  Identification of these core values was completed by the Public Radio Program Director’s Core Values Project in 2000.