COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO TO PARTNER WITH KRCC IN “THE SPRINGS” TO ENHANCE CPR NEWS PRESENCE AND KEEP LOCAL IDENTITY

Downtown Colorado Springs

(Image courtesy of the Gazette-Telegraph)

Readers of Spark News know we have reported frequently about Colorado Public Radio’s (CPR) unsuccessful efforts to extend its News brand into Colorado Springs, the second-largest metro area in the state. 

Despite their intentions, Springs’ listeners have remained loyal to hometown NPR News/Talk KRCC.

Now, after years of trying, CPR News got it right. Colorado College, licensee of KRCC, and CPR announced on Friday (1/10/20) that the two organizations have agreed to form a partnership that will bring CPR News into the market and KRCC will keep its local identity.

Moving forward, KRCC will be operated by CPR. CPR News will have complete editorial control. However, KRCC will continue to have local program hosts and news anchors.

CPR will be in charge of determining KRCC’s program schedule. At a future time, KRCC’s schedule will be aligned with CPR’s schedule. For now, CPR’s daily news/talk program, Colorado Matters, will air on KRCC.

Also, the partners have also agreed to build a new Public Media Center in downtown Colorado Springs in conjunction with Rocky Mountain PBS. The Center is scheduled to open in Summer 2021.

Nuts and bolts details have yet to be announced. Spokespeople for both organizations were not available for comment because of the MLK Holiday.

KRCC Station Manager Kyle Cunningham and Senior Project Director Erik Nycklemoe are in charge of the transition and the move to the new facility.

CPR’s President Stewart Vanderwilt said in a press release:

“This investment in KRCC will enable the station and CPR to be more reflective of the state, bringing important stories, ideas, and experiences to audiences across Colorado.”

The chart on the left shows the difficulty CPR has had competing with KRCC. 

Despite CPR’s efforts, KRCC has continued to have the vast majority of listeners.

CPR even purchased a full-time local station in 2018 to repeat CPR News programming and increase CPR’s visibility in the market. 

After the repeater signed on, CPR’s ratings dropped even more.

KEN SAYS: This is a remarkable opportunity for CPR News, KRCC and the residents of Colorado Springs. Stewart Vanderwilt and his team deserve high praise for putting this arrangement together.

They accomplished something CPR’s founder and longtime CEO Max Wycisk could never do. Congratulations!