Public and Noncommercial

This is more of a category than a format. Noncommercial stations general operate between 88mHz and 92mHz but are not restricted to operating there. This portion of the band was set aside in 1938. The FCC rule prohibits commercial stations from operating in that portion of the FM band. Noncommercial stations may operate anywhere on the dial.

Some old AM noncommercial stations still exist. Among them are WNED AM (970) in Buffalo. WHA (970) in Madison, Wisconsin and KUAT (1550) in Tucson, Arizona.

Several things affected the growth of public noncommercial radio, the creation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in 1967, and FCC docket 20735 in 1978. The creation of CPB lead to the creation of PBS and NPR. In 1978 with docket 20735 the FCC mandated that owners of noncommercial stations must upgrade to a minimum of 100w or risk losing their licenses.

There is no single public noncommercial format. Many college stations tend to have a variety of formats. Even NPR stations do not have a single format. Some like KQED San Francisco and WHYY in Philadelphia are news and information. Others like WGBH in Boston and WETA are a mix of classical and/or jazz and news/information.

Organizations

  • The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (CPB) A government funding agency for public broadcasting.
    In 1967, the United States Congress created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). CPB created the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1969 and National Public Radio (NPR) in 1970. PBS and NPR produce and distribute national programs. CPB cultivates and funds these programs and seeks ways to use them to serve communities better. CPB develops public telecommunications services (radio, television and new media such as online programming), investing in nearly 1,000 local radio and television stations that reach virtually every household in the country. It's the largest, single source for funding for public programming. This funding provides the useful information of Marketplace, the dispassionate reporting of All Things Considered, the educational value of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? and the best seat in the house for Great Performances. http://www.cpb.org

  • National Public Radio. (NPR) a programming organization composed of member stations. Major Programs include: "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition."

  • Public Radio International PRI, a programming organization composed of member stations. Formerly American Public Radio APR, founded as an alternative to NPR. Many public stations are affiliated with both organizations. Major Programs include: "Market Place" and "A Prairie Home Companion".

  • Pacifica, a left of center broadcast foundation. The Pacifica Foundation is entirely listener supported. It believes that underwriting puts public broadcasters in a compromising position and therefor does not permit it. The Pacifica Foundation also owns five stations around the country.

  • The National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB), a support organization for public and community radio stations.

  • Intercollegiate Broadcasting System IBS a membership organizations for college radio stations.

  • The National Association of College Broadcasters (NACB) is another membership organization for college radio and television stations.