What do we mean by Morehead State Public Radio? It's simply an acknowledgement that what started in Morehead in 1965 as a small, 10 watts station at MSU, is now a network with three components.
WMKY (90.3 FM) is licensed for 50,000 watts and serves more than 20 counties in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. The WMKY studios are in Breckinridge Hall on the campus of Morehead State University.
WOCS (88.3 FM) is licensed for 1,000 watts and serves all or parts of about a dozen counties in Southeast and South Central Kentucky. The station went on the air at full power in November 2001 and is based at Owsley County High School in Booneville. WOCS offers original programming between 9:30 a.m. and 12 Noon and between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays during the school year. There are also special sports and other broadcasts. This innovative partnership with the Owsley County Schools is unique to Kentucky.
Our translator in Inez, (W202BH, 88.3 FM) is licensed for 32 watts to serve Martin County. The translator gives our flagship station a power boost in an area where WMKY's signal is weak and extends public radio service to a part of the Commonwealth that sorely needs it.
We hope to expand the network in the future to include even more stations and/or translators and bring our special brand of public radio to a larger portion of the Appalachian Region. The network is proud of our mountain heritage and looks forward to showcasing the best arts, culture and information this area has to offer.
So, when you hear us refer to Morehead State Public Radio, we are talking about the entire operation, which covers much of central and eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio and western West Virginia. We are also talking about a new age of possibility where we hope to introduce our network to additional listeners throughout the Tri-State.
Governor's Awards in the Arts
MSPR Documentation
Affiliations
General Information
On June 15, 1965, WMKY debuted with a four-hour broadcast day at 10 watts and 91.1 megahertz. In April 1970 WMKY moved to 50 kW at 90.3 FM and increased to a 12-hour broadcast day. Over the years the power became 50,000 watts effective radiated power and the current 24 hours-per-day schedule was implemented. The award-winning staff of Morehead State Public Radio includes 8 full-time staff members and an average of 20-30 part-time and student staff members.
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Positioning Statement
(You're listening to)
"Morehead State Public Radio - From the Bluegrass to the Mountains"
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Historical Highlights
1965 - WMKY begins broadcasting as east Kentucky's first public radio station (June 15)
1966 - First remote broadcast (Cave Run Lake groundbreaking)
1970 - WMKY increases to 50,000 watts with a 12 hour broadcast day
1972 - First stereo broadcast
1977 - Excellence in Public Awareness Award from Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)
1978 - Affiliate of Kentucky News Network
1980 - Affiliate of National Public Radio
1982 - Affiliate of American Public Radio (Public Radio International)
1983 - First Place Documentary Award from United Press International
1988 - Public Radio Community Service Award from the CPB
1992 - Associated Press news service received by computer
1996 - Auxiliary power established for WMKY's studio and transmitter
1999 - WMKY begins broadcasting 24 hours a day
1999 - Inez translator in Martin County carries WMKY programming (88.3FM)
2000 - Best Local Music/Entertainment Program Award (US 23 Talent Showcase) from NFCB
2001 - WMKY releases Best of Americana Crossroads Live, Vol. 1 CD
2001 - WOCS, Booneville in Owsley County carries WMKY programming (88.3FM)
2002 - Morehead State Public Radio is established
2002 - Best Newscast Award from Public Radio News Directors, Inc. (PRNDI)
2002 - Kentucky Public Radio (Frankfort news bureau) is established
2003 - WMKY building, transmitter and antenna damaged by ice storm (February 16)
2003 - WMKY returns to 100% power following ice storm repairs (October 31)
2003 - Best Public Affairs Program (Mountain Edition) from PRNDI
2003 - MSPR webstreams live audio programming at www.msuradio.com
2004 - Podcasts and audio archives added to website (www.msuradio.com)
2005 - WMKY and WOCS convert to high definition, digital audio
2005 - Marti transmitter and antenna replaced by mobile cellcast
2006 - Two music channels (classical and jazz) added as webstreams
2007 - MSPR receives Kentucky Arts Council's Media Award through the Governor's Award in the Arts
2008 - YouTube videos and Flickr photos added to website
2009 - MSPR begins sending daily program news and updates through Twitter
