AUSTIN, Texas — April 16, 2015 — Central Texans have helped KUT and KUTX public radio raise more than $500,000 to deliver independent local and national journalism, and hand-picked music that reflects the Austin music experience during the spring 2015 on-air fund drive.
The semi-annual fund drive began on April 7 and ended a day early – April 14 – thanks to a buy-back initiative in which listeners bought back a day of the on-air fund drive by raising $125,000 before the start of the drive.
The spring membership drive brought 1,000 new members into the KUT 90.5 and KUTX 98.9 fold, and saw an increase in matching grants from leadership and business circle donors.
“From city government and state politics, to healthcare and education, to the music and culture that helps define Austin, listeners turn to KUT and KUTX to connect to their community,” said Stewart Vanderwilt, director and general manager of KUT and KUTX public radio. “Listeners recognize the value of the services they receive from the stations and we appreciate that they voluntarily choose to support us through individual gifts, sustaining, business circle and leadership circle memberships, as well as year-round underwriting.”
KUT and KUTX depend on local individuals and businesses for more than 90 percent of their annual operating budget. It’s community support that pays for programming and broadcasting expenses, such as KUT’s award-winning news staff, and paying for programs such as "Morning Edition," "This American Life," "Wait, Wait…Don't Tell Me," "Marketplace," "Fresh Air," and many others while helping KUTX deliver on its promise to deliver the Austin Music Experience to the world.
About KUT 90.5 and KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience
KUT 90.5, Austin's NPR station, uses the highest editorial standards to shed light on the city's civic challenges and opportunities. A founding member of NPR, KUT News has won more than 100 state, national and international awards for journalistic excellence. “Texas Standard,” KUT’s one-hour daily news program airing across the state, offers crisp, up-to-the-moment coverage of politics, lifestyle, the environment, technology, innovation and business — from a Texas perspective.
KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience, is the non-commercial, member-supported music service of KUT Public Radio. KUTX 98.9 features fresh, cutting-edge music, alongside iconic songs and established artists who continue to inspire. Programming includes live, one-of-a-kind performances in Studio 1A; the Austin Music Minute, the KUTX Song of the Day, and the Austin Music Map featuring some of the unlikely places where music is being made in Austin.
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Contact: Erin Geisler (512) 475-8071