Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

6-1981

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Communication

Major Professor

Herbert H Howard

Abstract

This study is an historical account of the development of the six public radio stations in the state of Tennessee. A public radio station is defined as one which is affiliated with National Public Radio (NPR). The history of each station is related as well as an examination of current station operations. Data for the study were collected from station files, logs, correspondence, files of the Federal Communications Commission, and personal interviews. In order to ground the research in national developments, brief histories of frequency modulation broadcasting and educational broadcasting are presented.

The first public radio station in Tennessee was WUOT-FM operated by The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The station was started in 1949 as a function of the continuing education division for the purpose of cultural enrichment and general adult education. Broadcasting had originated at the university in 1937 when extension programming was initiated over a Nashville commercial station. From this grew a statewide tape network and, later, WUOT.

In its earliest days, WUOT-FM was programmed to appeal to a variety of specialized audiences. This segmented format shortly gave way to programs of more general appeal, mostly classical music. The growth of the station during its first two decades was slow but constant, although a financial setback delayed progress in 1956 when the university began developing television. Credit is given to the station manager of this time who guided WUOT into the mainstream of university broadcasting. The high ideals and goals he set for the station have had major impact on its operation, and largely account for its continued popularity with listeners.

WUOT underwent changes when affiliation with the NPR network occurred in 1971. Grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting allowed the station to improve its facilities, expand its time on the air, and increase its staff. Programming became more diversified as a need to acknowledge community problems was noted, but fine arts broadcasting still was featured.

It was not until 1961 that Tennessee's second public radio station came on the air. WSMC-FM is operated by a denominational, liberal arts college in Collegedale. It began as a low-power student facility and did not emerge as a full-service station until 1967, when its power was greatly increased. After joining NPR a full-time staff was employed and changes appeared in programming.

WPLN-FM, Nashville, is the state's third public radio station. It was founded by the Nashville Public Library to extend its service to the community. Like WUOT and WSMC, its operation underwent changes after joining NPR. Although it still offered long periods of classical music, a serious commitment to news and public affairs was made. One of its most successful programs has been a spoken library for the blind, broadcast over a subcarrier channel.

Tennessee's three newest public radio stations all arrived on the air at or after the establishment of NPR. WKNO-FM, Memphis, is owned by a community television foundation. The station's development has been hampered somewhat by existing under the shadow of a powerful public television service. WETS-FM, Johnson City, and WMOT-FM, Murfreesboro, are both operated by state universities. WMOT is unique among Tennessee public radio stations in that it has student training as one of its major goals. It is also the only station which does not feature classical music. WETS-FM is noteworthy for its programming diversity.

The study closes with the conclusion that the national network has had a major effect on the state's public radio stations. It is further concluded that longevity plays a role in the quality of a station's service.

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