This free online radio station started way back in 1972 as a tiny 10 watt station known as KCMU and was broadcasting at 90.5 FM. The station’s 10 watt transmitter was located on top of McMahon Hall on the UW campus. It playlist focuses on album rock format type of music.
However after the University budget cuts diminishedtheir support for thestation, it adopted the modern rock format of music and started to accept funds from the community signalling and initiating the beginning of its expansion.
In 1982, the station’s wattage increased to 182 allowing the station to be heard outside the University District. Three years later, due to popular demand they expand their musical focus by adding different styles and genres of music which now includes roots and blues, hip hop, reggae, jazz and world music.
As their popularity increases, so do the needs of the station. This includes relocating its transmitter to Capitol Hill in order to boost the stations’ power to 400 watts. Doing this extended the range of their broadcast up to 15 miles. During this time, the station also moved to their present frequency 90.3 FM. Later in 2001, KCMU radio station changed its name to KEXP 90.3 FM while maintaining its music format and radio frequency.
KEXP 90.3 FM is the first of the online radio stations in the world that brings the listeners uncompressed CD quality audio that can be heard on the Internet. They broadcast nonstop music 24 hours-a-day and seven days a week.
KEXP 90.3 FM has grown throughout the years into a pioneering, dominant cultural influence in the Seattle community and in the world, providing a richer musical experience for the listeners around the world.
Click here to experience firsthand the music that this free radio download can offer.
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