KEWU-FM (89.5 MHz Jazz 89.5) is a non-profit radio station, licensed to Cheney, Washington, and serving the Spokane metropolitan area. The station is owned by Eastern Washington University and broadcasts a jazz radio format.

KEWU-FM
Broadcast areaSpokane metropolitan area
Frequency89.5 MHz
BrandingJazz 89.5
Programming
FormatJazz
Ownership
OwnerEastern Washington University
History
First air date
April 7, 1950; 74 years ago (1950-04-07) (on low power AM signal)
November 11, 1963 (on 89.5 FM)
Former call signs
KEWC
Call sign meaning
Eastern Washington University
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID18391
ClassC1
ERP10,000 watts
HAAT429 meters (1,407 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
WebsiteOfficial Site

KEWU-FM has an effective radiated power of 10,000 watts. The transmitter is on South Krell Ridge Lane in Spokane Valley, Washington, amid the towers for other Spokane area FM and TV stations.[2]

History

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The station went on the air on April 7, 1950; 74 years ago (1950-04-07). It was called KEWC, as a 10 watt AM station. On November 11, 1963, it moved to the FM Band as KEWU-FM.

KEWU was named the 2005 & 2015 Best Small Market Jazz station 80+ by Jazz Week magazine and Program Director Elizabeth Farriss was named Best Small Market Jazz Programmer for 2005, 2009 and 2015.

KEWU offers over 150 hours of classic and contemporary jazz every week. That station has expanded its programming over the years to include Big Band, Latin Jazz. Other specialty programs broadcast on KEWU are The Friday Night Blues and Nightfall.

It was announced August 29, 2023 that at the end of the year Eastern Washington University will cease operating KEWU and shut operations down.

On December 14th, it was announced that the university would extend KEWU's deadline for shutdown in to 2024 to deal with the many complexities surrounding licensing and equipment. It will also minimize disruptions to EWU and students. Starting January 1st, 2024, the station will have student DJs working 10 hours a week, and the rest of time will be automated.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KEWU-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Radio-Locator.com/KEWU
  3. ^ "KEWU's Sign off Extended into 2024 | Stories | Eastern Washington University".
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47°34′41″N 117°17′53″W / 47.578°N 117.298°W / 47.578; -117.298