KVRX
KVRX is a student-run, non-commercial radio station at the University of Texas at Austin, broadcasting underground music on 91.7 FM (nights/weekends via FCC time-share with KOOP) and via 24/7 online streaming, podcast network, and YouTube. It serves UT Austin students and the Austin music community.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What KVRX does
KVRX is the student-run radio station at the University of Texas at Austin, operating on 91.7 FM under the legal and administrative umbrella of Texas Student Media. Founded through a student task force in 1986 and broadcasting since 1988 (originally as KTSB on cable before adopting the KVRX call letters and launching FM operations in November 1994), the station shares its 91.7 FM frequency with KOOP Radio under an FCC-approved time-share agreement — KOOP broadcasts during daytime hours while KVRX airs from 7PM–9AM on weekdays and 10PM–9AM on weekends. KVRX also provides 24/7 online streaming through its website and a Chrome browser extension, extending its reach from Austin to a global online audience.
The station's product portfolio spans FM and online radio broadcasting, the KVRX Podcast Network (82 episodes distributed via Spotify and Google Podcasts), album reviews, blog content (concert reviews, DJ picks, artist interviews), programming schedules, and Local Live in-studio performance events. Core technology consists of FM broadcast infrastructure and standard web streaming, with no proprietary AI, ML, or advanced digital products. The station organizes local showcases, in-studio performances, and artist interviews to support the Austin music scene, positioning itself with the motto 'None of the hits, all of the time' to emphasize underground, experimental, and locally-rooted music discovery.
KVRX is structured as a non-profit educational operation rather than a commercial enterprise. It does not sell advertising; instead, it derives any operating revenue from corporate underwriting opportunities (contact routed via [email protected]) and listener donations through the University of Texas giving portal. The organization is staffed by more than 200 volunteer student DJs drawn from across UT Austin, supported by an extensive roster of student department leads covering music, programming, operations, production, digital, graphics, video, and sports. There are no external investors, venture capital backers, or private equity involvement indicated in the available data.
KVRX firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KVRX
- Legal name
- Texas Student Media
- Website
- https://kvrx.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- KVRX is a student-run, non-commercial radio station at the University of Texas at Austin, broadcasting underground music on 91.7 FM (nights/weekends via FCC time-share with KOOP) and via 24/7 online streaming, podcast network, and YouTube. It serves UT Austin students and the Austin music community.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KVRX industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio) (MPABADAE), Non-Interactive Digital Radio (Lean-Back Streaming) (MPAIACAB)
Keywords
Where KVRX is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
KVRX business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Underwriting/Advertising: Corporate underwriting opportunities for businesses, contact at [email protected]
- Donations: Listener donations via University of Texas giving portal (give.utexas.edu)
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
KVRX product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KVRX is a student-run, non-commercial radio station at the University of Texas at Austin that broadcasts underground, alternative, and local Austin music on 91.7 FM during nighttime hours (via an FCC time-share arrangement with KOOP radio) and streams 24/7 online. It also produces the KVRX Podcast Network (distributed on Spotify and Google Podcasts), publishes album reviews and blog content, and organizes in-studio live performances and showcases for the Austin music scene.
Product overview
KVRX is a student-run radio station at the University of Texas in Austin operating on 91.7 FM (nights and weekends) with 24/7 online streaming. The station offers a portfolio of products including FM radio broadcasting, live web streaming, a podcast network (KVRX Podcast Network with 82 episodes on Spotify and Google Podcasts), album reviews, blog content, programming schedules, and local live music events. The station's core mission is underground music discovery and local artist support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KVRX 91.7 FM Radio Broadcasting Student-run FM radio station broadcasting underground and alternative music on 91.7 FM in Austin during nighttime hours (7PM-9AM weekdays, 10PM-9AM weekends), sharing the frequency with KOOP radio under an FCC time-share arrangement.
- KVRX Live Stream 24/7 online audio streaming of KVRX programming available worldwide via kvrx.org and a Chrome browser extension, allowing listeners outside the Austin FM broadcast area to tune in continuously.
- KVRX Podcast Network On-demand podcast series featuring artist interviews, live show recordings, album reviews, and other station content, distributed through Spotify and Google Podcasts to reach audiences beyond traditional radio.
- KVRX Local Live Performances and Events In-studio live performances, artist interviews, and local Austin music showcases organized by KVRX to promote independent musicians and engage the Austin music community, produced by the Production Department.
Quantifiable outcome
- Growing station from small task force to over 200 student DJs
Companies that use KVRX
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
KVRX technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature1 record
KVRX partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- KOOP RadiocoreFCC-approved time-share agreement to share frequency 91.7 FM. KOOP broadcasts during daytime hours, KVRX broadcasts at night (7PM-9AM weekdays, 10PM-9AM weekends). Both stations are non-commercial community/campus radio operations.
- Texas Student Media (TSP/TSM)coreParent organization overseeing all UT Austin student media including KVRX, The Daily Texan, Cactus Yearbook, TSTV, and other outlets. TSP Board formally incorporated KTSB (now KVRX) as part of TSM on September 17, 1987.
- SpotifyminorPodcast distribution platform for KVRX Podcast Network content
- Google PodcastsminorPodcast distribution platform for KVRX Podcast Network content
- YouTubeminorVideo platform for KVRX live performances and station content including Local Live sessions
- University of Texas at AustincoreInstitutional home providing studio space, administrative structure, and student population for DJ recruitment. Station began as effort by Student Radio Task Force working with students, faculty, and central administrators.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights4 records
KVRX competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- WRVU 91.1 FM: WRVU is Vanderbilt University's student-run radio station in Nashville, comparable to KVRX in its student-operated structure, non-commercial educational broadcast model, and emphasis on alternative programming.
- WXYC 89.3 FM: WXYC is the student-run radio station at UNC Chapel Hill, one of the earliest college freeform radio stations in the US. It directly parallels KVRX's student-run model, FCC-licensed FM broadcasting, and underground music positioning.
- WFMU 91.1 FM: WFMU is a long-running freeform, listener-supported non-commercial radio station in New Jersey, comparable to KVRX in its non-commercial status, underground/freeform programming approach, and reliance on donations and underwriting for funding.
- KOOP Radio: KOOP is KVRX's direct co-broadcaster on 91.7 FM via FCC-approved time-share, with KOOP broadcasting daytime hours and KVRX at night. Both are non-commercial community/campus radio stations in Austin, making KOOP the closest comparable peer in operations, model, and audience.
Others
- The Daily Texan: The Daily Texan is a sibling publication under Texas Student Media, KVRX's parent organization. While not a radio peer, it shares the same institutional ecosystem, governance structure, and non-commercial student media mission.
- TSTV: TSTV is UT Austin's student-run television station, also under Texas Student Media. It is comparable to KVRX as a sibling student media operation sharing governance, funding structure, and volunteer-driven content model.
Regional players
- KUTX 98.9: KUTX is Austin's public radio station focused on music discovery and emerging artists, operated by KUT News. It shares the Austin listener base and alternative-music positioning with KVRX but operates at a larger scale under the Austin NPR affiliate umbrella.
Emerging players
- KEXP 90.3 FM: KEXP is a non-commercial radio station in Seattle known for its deep-curation of indie, alternative, and underground music, with strong podcast and YouTube distribution. It is comparable to KVRX in alternative-music focus and volunteer-driven culture, though at significantly larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KVRX social profiles
Digital presenceKVRX financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KVRX leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
KVRX funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KVRX M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KVRX
What does KVRX do?
KVRX is a student-run, non-commercial radio station at the University of Texas at Austin that broadcasts underground, alternative, and local Austin music on 91.7 FM during nighttime hours (via an FCC time-share arrangement with KOOP radio) and streams 24/7 online. It also produces the KVRX Podcast Network (distributed on Spotify and Google Podcasts), publishes album reviews and blog content, and organizes in-studio live performances and showcases for the Austin music scene.
Is KVRX a public or private company?
KVRX is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was KVRX founded?
KVRX was founded in 1986. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is KVRX based?
KVRX is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does KVRX make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Underwriting/Advertising is the primary driver. The others are donations.
Who are KVRX's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WRVU 91.1 FM, WXYC 89.3 FM, WFMU 91.1 FM and KOOP Radio. Others are The Daily Texan and TSTV. KUTX 98.9 is listed as a regional player. KEXP 90.3 FM is listed as an emerging player.
Does KVRX have an API?
No public API is recorded for KVRX.
What industry is KVRX in?
KVRX's product category is Community Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABACAG, Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM), with a secondary code of MPABADAE, Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio). Its NAICS code is 51611 and its SIC code is 4832.