KBYU

The KBYU Radio station began broadcasting in 1946. It was the first collegiate radio station of this kind west of the Mississippi. Originally KBYU broadcast to the Allen Hall, Amanda Knight Hall and Knight-Mangum Hall. In 1948 KBYU began to broadcasting city side, and returned to only on campus broadcasts in 1951. KBYU was off the air during the 1952-1953 school year due to technical problems. In 1960 KBYU began broadcasting on a FM frequency, and its name was changed to KBGR. While there were full time directors that oversaw the station, it was mostly run by students in the Radio Club. Faculty station managers of KBYU have included: T. Earl Pardoe (1946-1951), Owen Rich (1951-1952), James (Jim) Ludlow (1952-1953). Starting in 1953 at the return of Owen Rich the station began running under co-mangagers, those included Owen Rich and James (Jim) Ludlow (1953-1955), Owen Rich and Lynn McKinlay (1955-1960).

Variant names

KBYU-AM

Description

Established: 1946

Abolished: 1960

Location: Provo, Utah (1946-1960)

Functions

KBYU’s main functions is to provide news and entertainment to the campus of BYU and the Provo community.

Assets and Administrative Structure

KBYU was under the direction of The Speech Department until the creation of Broadcasting Services. KBYU itself was run by a director and student employees from the Radio Club.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Speech (1929-1953) (1946-1953)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Speech and Dramatic Arts (1953-1961) (1953-1958)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Broadcast Services (1960)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. News Bureau (1952-1960)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Radio and Television Committee (1953-1960)

Later unit: KBRG (1960)

Sources

Brigham Young University The First Hundred Years, 1975: v. 3 p. 661-662 (first collegiate radio station of this kind west of the Mississippi; broadcast to the Allen Hall, Amanda Knight Hall and Knight-Mangum Hall; began to broadcasting city side in 1948)

Classic 89 Web site, via WWW, October 12, 2010 (began broadcasting in 1946, provide news and entertainment; T. Earl Pordoe faculty director; Owen Rich student director) http://www.classical89.org/

A History of Broadcasting Education at Brigham Young University to 1962, 1973: p.123 (stop broadcasting around Provo in 1951);p. 124-125 (James Ludlow becomes station manager; KBYU off the air during 1952-1953); p. 127 (Rich returns and serves as co-manager with Ludlow); p. 130 (Lynn McKinlay becomes co station manager)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00313

Creator: ANG