KPLU in Tacoma, Wash., will take on the call letters of KNKX when it transitions to new ownership, scheduled to take place later this month.
KNKX “stands for ‘Connects,’” according to a KPLU press release, and emphasizes the station’s connection to the community. The new call letters were submitted by a listener as part of a contest run by KPLU. More than 2,000 people submitted suggestions, which KPLU management narrowed to five choices. Its board, staff, other listeners and a local marketing firm made the final pick. The creator of the winning submission asked to remain anonymous, according to the station.
The nonprofit organization Friends of 88.5 aims to assume ownership of KPLU Aug. 30. It raised $7 million to buy the station’s license from Pacific Lutheran University after staff and listeners opposed a potential sale to the University of Washington.
Does KNKX actually sound or look like “connects?” Sex columnist and Seattleite Dan Savage had an opinion.
Has anyone at @KPLU ever had sex? Been on the Internet? Sounded out a vanity plate? pic.twitter.com/pYc9148RBb
— Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) August 12, 2016
Welcome to NPR, #KNKX!!! We want the NewsHour on audio!!!