FAQ

About

Q: What is public radio, and how is it different from commercial radio?

A: Commercial radio is made possible by commercials and public radio is made possible by you, the public. In the case of Southern California Public Radio, it is our mission to serve the public by strengthening the civic and cultural bonds that unite the diverse communities of Southern California, providing the highest quality news and information service through radio and other interactive media. Unlike commercial radio, we are a service-oriented nonprofit organization.

What is Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), and how is it related to 89.3 KPCC?

Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) is a California-based nonprofit organization that operates flagship station KPCC, as well as KUOR and KPCV, which extends our broadcast into the Inland Empire and the Coachella Valley. SCPR provides the governance, management, and operational structure to run the stations, raises funds, and is responsible for expenses.

Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) is an organization of American Public Media (APM). In addition to being SCPR's parent company, APM is also a program provider and the non-profit support organization of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). Although we are organizationally related to APM, SCPR is governed by a separate board of trustees in Southern California and a Regional Advisory Council.

Programming from American Public Media includes Marketplace and Marketplace Money, A Prairie Home Companion, The Splendid Table, Speaking of Faith, and The Story.

What is the relationship between KPCC and Pasadena City College?

Pasadena City College holds the broadcast license for KPCC, but is not involved in the operation of the station. Currently, we have studios and some offices located on the campus of Pasadena City College.

Originally, KPCC was a student operated college radio station with various formats, but since the year 2000, it has been operated by Southern California Public Radio as a news and information station and a member station of NPR.

What kind of programming does SCPR air on its stations?

We are a news and information station that provides locally produced programs such as AirTalk, Patt Morrison, and Off-Ramp, in addition to programing from NPR (National Public Radio), PRI (Public Radio International), and the BBC.

Local news coverage comes from our dedicated newsroom with over 30 reporters that canvass Southern California. We also have bureaus in Orange County, the Inland Empire, Downtown Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

Does KPCC play music? Can I send you my music?

Thank you for your interest. However, since our format is news and information, we do not play music, and are not accepting music submissions.

What is KPCC's relationship to National Public Radio (NPR)?

KPCC is an NPR member station. National Public Radio produces programs, which KPCC licenses and airs on our stations. KPCC is not organizationally related to NPR.

The NPR programming currently on our station includes Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation, Fresh Air, Science Friday, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, and more.

Where can I listen to Southern California Public Radio?

89.3 KPCC-FM (Los Angeles and Orange County)
89.1 KUOR-FM (Riverside)
90.3 KPCV-PM (Coachella Valley)

You can also listen with a free app on your iPhone, as well as stream and podcast us anytime online.

Is Southern California Public Radio a nonprofit organization?

Yes, we are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3).

As a nonprofit organization, how are you funded?

We receive a small amount of funding (6%) from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and we also receive funding from underwriters, but the greatest and most reliable source of funding comes from our members.

How can I work for KPCC?

KPCC is part of a larger family of public radio organizations, including Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), American Public Media (APM), and Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). Job openings for Southern California Public Radio are posted on the American Public Media Web site and are also listed in Los Angeles area newspapers and broadcasting trade publications. See job listings for all three organizations, and apply online

Why are you building a new broadcast center?

After a decade of dramatic growth, SCPR has been challenged in our ability to improve and extend our public service. The expansion of our award-winning local news team and technical support staff means that SCPR, more than ever, lacks sufficient studio and production space. During a time of dramatic technological change, SCPR reporters and producers are working in antiquated studios with outdated equipment.

Having new studios and up-to-date equipment is critical, but SCPR also lacks a convening space – a forum-to bring the Southland's diverse communities together for discussion and debate. A new broadcast center will improve our ability to serve the community as well as provide for a place to convene for public events.

News and Programming

What is the call-in number for AirTalk and Patt Morrison?

866-893-5722 (toll free)

Does KPCC have a local newsroom?

Yes. We have a dedicated newsroom and reporters who have won over 200 awards for journalistic excellence.

Transmitters, Coverage, Reception, Etc.

Where are KPCC's transmitters located, and what is the coverage area?

KPCC's transmitter is located on Mt. Wilson, four miles north of Pasadena, CA. The FCC licenses KPCC to radiate 600 watts of power. This is a small amount of power when compared to other radio stations in the Los Angeles area. Presently, there is no possible way to increase KPCC's power without causing interference to other broadcasters in the Los Angeles area.

KPCC's coverage area includes Los Angeles and Orange counties with parts of Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Our repeater stations KUOR and KPCV cover Riverside and the Coachella Valley, respectively.

Why do I sometimes lose reception even when I'm within your coverage area?

Within the coverage area, reception problems usually are due to obstructions such as hills and valleys in the landscape.

Seasonal weather patterns, atmospheric abnormalities, and sunspots, hills and valleys as well as man-made interference will affect radio reception. For a good discussion on how weather affects radio reception please see this Web page.

If you live outside of KPCC's coverage area, there may be other radio stations from time to time interfering with your reception of KPCC as well.

How can I improve my reception?

To improve reception of KPCC inside a building, experiment by placing your radio and its antenna (usually the power cord) near a window that faces Mt. Wilson. Mt Wilson is four miles north of Pasadena, CA.

Additionally, some retailers sell powered FM antennae that might be useful to you. A general rule of thumb is 'the higher the antenna the better'. Remember that obstructions between Mt. Wilson and your receiver will likely cause reception problems. An external FM antenna may improve reception in those areas where KPCC's signal strength is weak.

Always be careful not to touch power lines and other hazards when installing an external antenna. KPCC recommends that you contract with a professional antenna installer for outside antenna installation.

Is KPCC available on my cable TV service or satellite TV network?

Some cable TV service providers offer KPCC in their program line-up. If your cable TV service provider in Southern California does not offer KPCC, ask them when they will offer KPCC in their program line-up. If you do listen to KPCC via cable TV, please let us know via our cable survey.

Web Site/Mobile Devices/Internet Services

Sometimes archived program audio and/or the live stream audio cuts in and out, and the player takes long pauses to buffer. Why does it do this?

Most likely, traffic on the Internet is heavy during the times you experience rebuffering and audio cutting in and out. When the heavy traffic times are over, the buffering problems should get better.

How can I subscribe to a program's podcast?

If you want to subscribe to a program, download some or all of the episodes of that program to your computer, and be able to listen to them on either your computer or a portable MP3 player such as an iPod, then podcasts are for you! Visit our Podcasts page for more information and to subscribe.

Do I need any special software installed to listen to podcasts?

You need an application that supports podcasting. We recommend Apple's iTunes for ease of use.