KRCU RADIO TO OFFER THREE NEW PROGRAMS IN JANUARY

"A Prairie Home Companion," one of public radio's most popular programs, will be heard on KRCU beginning Jan. 6.

Southeast Missouri State University's public radio station is also adding two other programs.

KRCU general manager Greg Petrowich said the FM station had been affiliated solely with National Public Radio. As of Jan. 1, the station also will be affiliated with Public Radio International, a distributor of radio programs including Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion." Petrowich said the area's public radio fans have clamored for the show.

Petrowich said the station also will add a comedy variety quiz show called "Whad'Ya Know?" Jan. 6.

Both shows will air on Saturdays. "Whad'Ya Know?" will air from 10 to noon and "A Prairie Home Companion" will be heard from 5 to 7 p.m.

The station also will broadcast "Marketplace," a half-hour business and finance show, at 6 p.m. weekdays beginning Jan. 1.

Petrowich said KRCU, 90.9 FM, had to pay fees to join the Public Radio International network and obtain the programs.

The network fee is $8,000 a year. KRCU will spend another $6,800 a year to air "A Prairie Home Companion" and about $8,000 combined for the other two programs.

The station is receiving the programs at a discount initially, but in the future will pay about $22,000 a year for the added programming.

The station raised $35,000 combined from its past two fund drives. Much of that money is earmarked for the new programs, Petrowich said.

"We hope to offset much of this with underwriting as well," he said.