Texas Tech Radio KTXT in Lubbock Shut Down???

I know a lot of y'all probably don't keep Lubbock on your brains too much, but I'm from a small town and I know exactly how much college radio means to the community. Corporate radio kills us mentally, destroys humanity, hurts people in so many ways by making them dumber than they already are. College radio is the only real outlet, locally, for a lot of cities. So it saddens me to see this happen.

Anyway here's the info my man Dan sent me....



KTXT-FM Execs respond to broadcast changes, consider station’s future

Texas Tech University’s Student Media department terminated all functions of KTXT-FM, the university’s non-commercial, student-run radio station. The student executive staff received no prior warning, nor was any attempt made to discuss rationale or potential alternatives. Station Manager Blake Porter learned of the decision fifteen minutes before the station went off the air.

KTXT's shutdown was noticed almost immediately. At 35,000 watts, KTXT is one of the most powerful college broadcasters in the country.

Citing “several changes” to the department, Student Media staff ceased broadcasts and Internet streaming, relinquishing control of the station’s FCC license to Texas Tech’s other station, KOHM-FM. Operating with a public radio format at 89.1 MHz, KOHM is a non-commercial, educational station, but not student-run or operated. The few student interns and volunteers working at the station simply do not compare to KTXT’s staff and volunteers of nearly 100, nor was it designed to provide a similar level of student control.

Student Media shut KTXT down December 10, the last day of class, leaving many staffers to believe the timing was designed to minimize an organized response. Another student voice, The Daily Toreador newspaper, stopped publication for the semester break and was thus unable to inform the college and public of the decision.

Explanations cited in the press release stress overwhelming operational costs and a shifting media landscape offering fewer employment opportunities in radio broadcasting.
However, no warnings of economic doom were shared with KTXT employees, and previous requests to conduct pledge drives or fundraisers were denied.

Furthermore, KTXT provided students with foundational experience in interviewing, public speaking, event planning and marketing. Such timeless skills prepare graduates for numerous media opportunities, new and old, and many station alumni now working in various facets of the media cite their time at KTXT as indispensable.

Staff, faculty and loyal listeners immediately responded with calls and letters to school officials and media outlets. A Facebook group to save the 47-year old Tech tradition and Lubbock mainstay is the epicenter of the movement to understand the decision to dissolve KTXT, and more importantly, to fight for a future.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4009560681
“We appreciate the last seven years in Student Media,” said Station Manager Porter, “but we look forward to a continued existence serving the Tech and Lubbock population under new advisory leadership.”

KTXT thanks everyone for the overwhelming support of a radio station that has been a valuable educational tool, an alternative music and information bastion, and a home to so many throughout the years. With the quest now being a search for funding and space, KTXT-FM needs as many voices as possible to demand action to restore this powerful and important tradition.

Media contact: Blake Porter, Station Manager, KTXT-FM, (972) 310-9619

Facebook Group

AP Story