As previously reported by Radio Ink, NPR’s Tacoma, WA, affiliate was recently saved by Friends of 88.5 FM. Now, to mark its “new life,” the station has assumed new call letters: KNKX. The four letters represents “Connects” and comes after listeners were called on to submit their call-letter ideas. The new call letters go into effect once Friends of 88.5 assumes ownership of the station, which is tentatively scheduled for August 30. The station’s slogan becomes, “88.5 KNKX connects you to jazz, blues and NPR news.”
“We are humbled and deeply gratified by the outpouring of support from the community,” said 88.5’s General Manager Joey Cohn. “Our listeners saved something they felt a personal and emotional connection to, and told us 88.5 felt like their friends or family. We want to grow that connection and ingrain ourselves even more into the community. We want to be a resource that tells illuminating stories and plays wonderful music, so 88.5 can continue to be, as listeners have said, ‘a soundtrack to our daily lives.’”
The “Save KPLU” fundraising effort among the station’s listeners resulted in more than 24,000 donations from over 18,000 donors contributing to the $7 million goal.
