KTXT-FM Lubbock is no more...

[EggsOverEasy87]

Control of the FCC license is being shifted to KOHM.

As someone who used to work at KTXT, I am saddened to see this station go. It was a great place for Tech students to learn the basics of broadcasting and running a station. Yeah, the studio was run down, but still, there were several people that listened to us. This station has even helped some students get jobs in bigger markets.

More information on http://www.ktxt.net

It's a sad day in Lubbock. 

[BigVoiceGuy]

Just read that on LOL.  Sad day is true.

[EggsOverEasy87]

So, since ownership is going to KOHM, what do you think will happen to the 88.1 frequency?

More public radio?
Sold to Christian radio maybe?

[bayou_city_bob]

So, since ownership is going to KOHM, what do you think will happen to the 88.1 frequency?

More public radio?
Sold to Christian radio maybe?

The most likely scenario is All-NPR on 89.1 KOHM & all jazz and/or classical on 88.1 KTXT-FM

It's sad that the Tech students no longer have a place to develop their 'radio craft', but the station over the past decade stopped trying to develop new DJ, News & Sports talent.  Rather it became a place for slackers, and non-communications majors, to 'play radio'. 

[Garrett]

Yeah, 'cause there aren't enough Christian stations in Lubbock  

You know, I found out about this watching the News a few minutes ago, and it took me completely by suprise. Did Texas Tech even give any notice about this before today? Or is it just something they just arbitrarily decided by saying "oh, by the way, this is the last day, see ya."

The other question is, now that KTXT is gone, will one of the clusters now think about flipping a station to Alternative Rock? (Yes, I know that there's a difference between Alternative Rock and the free form College Alternative format that KTXT had).

[EggsOverEasy87]

This is not the first time for 88.1. Something like this happened back in the 80's. Studnets were furious and rallied outside the Student Union and eventually got the station back.

So, if students wanted KTXT back, do you think KOHM might let them have their HD-3 signal (like many people in Lubbock have an HD receiver...)? Or do you think maybe they could reduce the power on 88.1 or not broadcast 24 hours a day anymore in order to make costs cheaper?

There are many students that are saddened by this news. There has to be a better way than simply just yanking this station off the air. There is no other station in Lubbock as unique as this one.

And for all our listeners, thanks for keeping us locked to the left the past 48 years.

[EggsOverEasy87]

And to answer Garrett's question, they shut down the station without any warning. Here is the article from the daily toreador.

http://media.www.dailytoreador.com/media/storage/paper870/news/2008/12/03/News/Ktxt-Goes.Off.The.Air-3577186.shtml

[julesism]

I'm in Austin. I enjoyed listening to KTXT over the web often and was jealous of what yall had in Lubbock. Sadness.

[Garrett]

Well, the article said it had no warning, but that was the 3rd, but the story didn't hit the TV news until today when the switch was flipped. In any case, it's more like "locked out of the left."

I sure hope Texas Tech students rally about this one. Imagine the students who tour the campus and find there's no student station, even broadcasting on AM? Or how about the students who come back next semester? This was done secretly and without much warning.

To be continued...

[Jamey K]

This is so sad. I was in Lubbock for a track meet in 73, and the night before, we played poker in the motel while listening to KTXT. They were AWESOME that night. I was going to Tech after high school, but decided at the last minute to go further north. Every trip I made to Lubbock, always included KTXT.