FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2005
Contact: Tom Uribes (559) 278-5366 or 246-1717

KFSR launches ‘podcasting,’ new Web site at KFSR.org

One of first radio stations in California to embrace new 'podcast' technology 

KFSR 90.7, California State University, Fresno’s non-commercial radio station, has announced the launch of a new updated Web site (www.kfsr.org), complete with a new technology called podcasting.

Similar to the concept behind the popular TiVo personal video recorders, podcasting is a free, Web-based service that allows listeners to “subscribe” to a specific radio program via their computer.

Every time a new program is produced, special software will automatically download that program to a users PC, said KFSR Station Manager Joe Moore. If the user has an iPod or other similar portable MP3 player, the program will automatically transfer itself to that device when it is connected to the PC.

KFSR joins just a handful of stations in California, including NPR affiliates KQED, KPBS, and KCRW offering programming via podcasting.

“As far as we can tell, we’re just the fifth radio station in California to actually allow listeners to subscribe to existing station programming via their computers and iPods,” Moore said.

He explained that podcasting is a relatively new technology that, within the past six months, has become the latest trend on the World Wide Web, driven in large part by the astounding sales of Apple’s iPod and other MP3 players.

“First developed by bloggers, and later adopted by public and non-commercial radio hosts and stations, podcasting allows stations and producers to make content more portable and accessible to listeners on the go,” Moore said.

KFSR’s first podcast enabled program is San Joaquin Spotlight, a new weekly public affairs program focusing on life in the San Joaquin Valley, with a special emphasis on the arts and culture. The half-hour-long program airs on KFSR 90.7 Sundays at 11:30 a.m. The program is also archived in Real Audio format at www.kfsr.org. KFSR has plans to expand its podcast offerings in the next few months.

“We are even looking at the possibility of developing some ‘podcast only’ programs. It’s a very exciting method of distributing content, and we want both our listeners and our students to be on the cutting edge of what’s happening in the world of digital media,” said Moore.

KFSR is a non-commercial radio station operated by California State University, Fresno, serving the general Fresno/Clovis metro area. KFSR’s music programming includes jazz, rock, electronica, and world music, as well as public affairs programs and Fresno State sports broadcasts. KFSR can be heard in the Fresno area at 90.7 FM and online at www.kfsr.org.

For more information contact Moore at (559) 278-2598 or e-mail joem1@csufresno.edu.

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