Nebraska Public Media has set June 15 as a launch date for its new Omaha signal and revealed partial plans for its new schedule.
The network purchased KOOO/101.9 (La Vista-Omaha) from NRG Media for $1.2 million, bringing the state-owned radio service to Omaha for the first time. KOOO has ended its previous format and is now carrying what NPM describes as a preview of the new service.
It’s not immediately known if 101.9 will retain the KOOO callsign or use a different name. The announcement refers to it as “Nebraska Public Media Omaha.”
The new lineup will include NPR News/Talk programming during the day and syndicated Adult Alternative music in the evenings and overnights.
The News/Talk lineup will be anchored by six hours of “Morning Edition” and three hours of “All Things Considered,” with other shows including “Here & Now,” “On Point,” “Fresh Air,” and “Think!” during middays. The exact schedule will be released on launch day.
AAA programming will begin with “World Cafe” at 7 p.m. followed by the syndicated XPoNential Radio service. Both originate at WXPN (Philadelphia).
On Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m., the Omaha station will simulcast new program “Flow Lab” with the statewide network, described as a local series featuring Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, and Dance music. During the same timeslot on Sunday evenings, the Omaha station will simulcast existing statewide arts show “The Verge.”
KOOO’s 100kW signal also reaches Lincoln and will provide listeners in the capitol city with a second service from NPM. Its primary network, heard in Lincoln on KUCV/91.1, carries a mix of News and Classical programming.
The announcement comes as NPM also plans a major revamp to its statewide weekend radio schedule beginning June 20 that will see the addition of 11 new shows.