It was a cold winter night in 2005 when the “midnight riders”—a handful of pioneers of Central Oregon’s first community radio station—took to the streets in their cars. They were tuned in to a new spot on the dial, 88.9 FM, waiting to hear their fledgling low-power signal crackle to life around town. The big commercial stations in Bend had agreed to power down their transmitters for the test, and the volunteers began calling each other from their cars: “Do you hear it?”
And hear it they did. KPOV officially launched in June 2005 after four years of planning, broadcasting live from its studio on NW Bond Street with more than 70 newly trained DJs producing 35 commercial-free music and talk programs, along with select syndicated shows. Since then, it has grown and evolved, streaming worldwide, with podcasts and an online archive for on-demand listening. Over 20 years, the station has grown considerably, with an estimated 13,000 weekly listeners, 100 volunteers, and a full-power transmitter broadcasting live civic, political, and sporting events. The station also hosts youth camps and DJ classes, all while staying true to its grassroots, listener-supported mission.
“It’s radio by the people, for the people of Central Oregon,” said Mike Riley, one of the KPOV founders, who has since been elected a Bend city councilor. “We wanted to have a station that was run by local people, telling local stories and doing local music, and just really being about our community. It felt like we didn’t get that from the bigger broadcast networks—OPB and KLCC in Eugene weren’t really focused on us.”
The Power of “Point of View”
The founders chose the call letters POV for “point of view,” central to its core values of fostering dialogue and uplifting diverse voices. “It’s to tell other people’s point of view, to hear everybody’s voice,” said Executive Director Linda Orcelletto. She noted that KPOV’s public affairs program“The Point” is hosted by five rotating local hosts, many representing nonprofits.
“Our biggest thing is hearing all the voices that you might not hear in mainstream media, and that’s so important right now,” Orcelletto said. Community radio is increasingly significant today and relies entirely on private donations and foundations, rather than government funding, to safeguard free expression and reliable information, she explained.
Connecting Through Music and Mission
The station focuses on promoting an exchange of views. KPOV’s mission also emphasizes entertaining local programming. It works to promote equality, peace, and economic justice. This helps foster healthy individuals and a thriving community.
Radio remains one of the most powerful tools for building local ties, Riley said. Music provides a great example of this. KPOV spotlights Central Oregon’s music scene. It features both up-and-coming and veteran musicians. They offer live performances and interviews on shows like “Center Stage.” This connects them with broader audiences.
Several local musicians and promoters serve as DJs. This includes KPOV Board Member Stacy Koff. She is an original DJ and early supporter of KPOV. Koff also founded the 4 Peaks Music Festival. KPOV’s DJs range in age from 16 to 92.
Terrebonne musician Steve Frandsen, 71, has hosted “Psychedelic Protest” since 2008. He plays 1960s music. He explained that the songs remain relevant today. “Protest is very necessary,” he said. The music addresses themes of war and injustice. He wants it to inform and inspire younger generations. They may not have experienced past movements firsthand, as he did.
KPOV proves community radio belongs to every generation. The station prepares for innovation and growth. As KPOV marks 20 years, its signal remains strong. It tunes the community to the same wavelength. The station amplifies voices that will carry it into the future.
