History and Audience

91.3 KBCS is public radio providing Puget Sound with essential music and news.

The roots of KBCS took hold in the early ‘70s. A group of Bellevue College students set out to become broadcasters. After their initial request was declined, they held a President’s office sit-in protest. In February of ’73, KBCS went live with a tiny 10 watt transmitter and equipment donated by KING-FM.

Gradually, KBCS evolved from a student radio club into a professionally managed public media organization.  In March of 2013 the station’s antenna was moved from the Bellevue College campus to the top of Cougar Mountain, greatly strengthening the station’s reach to the south and east.

Over 100 volunteer hosts, producers, and journalists deliver much of the music and news heard on the station. Many have gone on to staff public radio stations throughout the region, and report for National Public Radio.