It may have just 100 watts, but at 9,039 feet above sea level, this Sun Valley, Idaho FM can reach Hailey and Ketchum just fine. That’s likely what enticed Boise State Public Radio to acquire the facility, and that deal announced in late 2023 has just closed.
BSPR is now the licensee of KWRV-FM 91.9 in Sun Valley, which it acquired from Minnesota Public Radio. Closing was seen on April 1, following the October 27, 2023 signing of an asset purchase agreement.
A $120,000 purchase price was agreed to, with payment split in half; $60,000 had been placed in escrow.
KWRV debuted in 1993 under MPR, building out the station and presenting its Classical24 format. The call letters KWRV speak to its geographic location in the Wood River Valley.
Today, KWRV is running Boise State Public Radio’s flagship news service, simulcasting KBSS.
“We are proud of Boise State Public Radio’s 45-year heritage in the state,” said Boise State Public Radio GM Tom Michael. “In the past few years, we have expanded our broadcast sites across Idaho, with additions in Lewiston, Pocatello, Cambridge and now Sun Valley. We hope to super-serve the residents of the Wood River Valley with this music service, complementing our existing news service.”
While spoken word programming will now be heard on KWRV, the station continues to feature classical music programming, alongside eclectic music programs on weekday evenings and weekends. In fact, new additions to the programming mix include the Boise Philharmonic Showcase and Sunday Concert Hall. Americana, folk, and rock are featured on weekday evenings with “World Cafe” and on Saturday mornings with “Open Range Radio” and “Private Idaho,” with local hosts.
“This is a great outcome for the station and the community,” said Duchesne Drew, President of Minnesota Public Radio. “We know KWRV is in good hands with Boise State Public Radio.”
Boise State Public Radio now has 14 full power stations and 10 translators in Idaho. The addition of North Idaho facility KLCZ-FM 88.9 in Lewiston was seen in October 2022.
