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CPB Awards $1.3M for Public Radio Urban Alt Initiative


Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced grants totaling $1.3 million for three public media stations to launch Urban Alternative formats to connect with young, multi-cultural audiences. The grants to KPVU/Houston, WNSB/Norfolk and KUVO/Denver, will support their transitions to new locally customized formats using Hip Hop and R&B. The format borrows from the popularity of Urban Contemporary music while remaining true to public radio's values, which it says "ensures thoughtful lyricism and storytelling."

"CPB is committed to partnering with stations to develop innovative ways to expand and grow the next generation of public media audiences," said CPB VP/Radio Erika Pulley-Hayes. "The Urban Alternative format is a way for stations to capitalize on the growing appeal of this art form and build new connections with musicians and millennials in their local communities."

Chicago Public Radio first launched the Urban Alternative format on its Vocalo signal in 2015 and has since seen growth in audiences, mobile app downloads, membership and online and in person engagement. CPB recognized the format's early potential and funded research by Paragon Media Strategies in Chicago and four other U.S. markets in 2016. The research found the format's potential for national appeal. CPB then invited stations to apply for grants to create a more contemporary sound and develop deeper connections to local multicultural communities.

The three stations will also work with Paragon Media Strategies to test and refine the format in their individual markets. Paragon will conduct research to identify the music mix that has the greatest local market appeal and assist the stations with launch plans, implementation and iteration over a two-year period.

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