KVUT/Tyler, TX Ceases Operations
• Public radio has taken another body blow, this time in Tyler-Longview, Texas, as The University of Texas at Tyler College of Arts and Sciences announced that the school’s non-comm NPR affiliate 99.7 KVUT has ceased operations, effective Friday, May 24 at 5pm, which coincided with the end of the school year.
In a statement, UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences Dean Neil Gray said, “This move aligns with our core mission and allows us to reinvest in our academic programming, offering more educational opportunities to students, particularly in our Department of Communication. I want to thank the KVUT team, donors and listeners for their support.”
According to the Longview News-Journal, KVUT soft-launched on May 13, 2021 and formally debuted on Sept. 14, 2021. Along with NPR content, it aired local stories and eclectic jazz.
Gray added, “Reinvesting in our students is crucial for fostering the next generation of communicators, journalists and media professionals. By reallocating resources, we can enhance our curriculum, provide cutting-edge technology and create hands-on learning experiences that prepare our students for the rapidly evolving media landscape.” We understand that the university is seeking a new owner for the station.
