KVDU, DU’s online student radio station, will now be known as KXDU in an ongoing effort to revitalize and increase listeners, according to sophomore Zach Atwood, station manager.
The name change is the first step to obtaining the only radio broadcast tower DU has had since the 1980s.
KXDU is currently only available online, but Atwood said he hopes to obtain an AM tower, which would cost about $1,500, within the year.
He said the cost of a tower licensing application alone for an FM station is approximately $150,000.
The name KVDU is already taken by another station, so Atwood said he has begun re-branding the station as KXDU in preparation for beginning over-air broadcasting.
“It’s a huge process of getting all these things going,” said Atwood. “We’re taking tiny steps in order for a big return.”
KXDU is currently waiting on certification from the Presidential Debate Commission, which would allow it to report on the upcoming debate in October.
In addition to the name-change, KXDU completely updated its website, the primary way to listen online, to make it more accessible to both listeners and DJs.
“Our old website wasn’t easy to navigate and was difficult to access,” said Atwood. “We’ve switched to a simpler WordPress format that allows more interaction for both our DJs and our listeners.”
With the new website, the radio begins streaming the moment it is accessed. The current song and DJ information is readily available.
A low-frequency AM tower would only cover the DU campus, though it would come with considerably fewer restrictions and expense than a wider range FM tower.
To broadcast, KXDU would need to become FCC-certified, a process which involves changing some aspects of the station operations. DJs would have to censor their language, and all music played would need to come from legal sources.
Under the previous system, DJs could play music from Youtube and other free sources, but now there is a system of royalties, which means all music must be payed for.
Atwood said obtaining the tower is the biggest goal of KXDU’s current revitalization, but other upcoming events, such as giving away concert tickets to bands like The Fray, reflect its attempts to have a bigger presence on campus. The Fray tickets will be given away for their Red Rocks concert, scheduled May 11.
“We’re going to host a concert in the spring quarter as part of a re-launch,” said Atwood. “We’re also hoping to pair up with the music school to produce a CD.”
