KVNO Celebrates 54 Years!

August 26th, 2026

The year was 1972.

Richard Nixon had visited China and the Soviet Union. The Watergate break-in had just occurred. All in the Family was the No. 1 show on television, and Americans were singing along to “American Pie” on the radio.

Amid all of this, a group of committed citizens in Omaha saw the culmination of years of work when these words were broadcast on 90.7 FM for the very first time on August 27, 1972:

“KVNO, Fine Arts Radio for Omaha, is now on the air!”

KVNO was created to fill a cultural void—to bring classical music, the arts and cultural programming to radio listeners throughout the Omaha area. Fifty-four years later, that mission remains at the heart of everything we do.

In those early days, most of KVNO’s on-air staff were UNO students, eager to learn the craft of radio broadcasting and gain experience working at a station serving the community. And their pay? A whopping $1.62 an hour.

A lot has changed since then.

Today, as we celebrate KVNO’s 54th birthday, you might be tempted to think that after more than five decades, we’ve settled into a routine. Maybe there isn’t much new ground left to explore. Or perhaps you’ve wondered whether Omaha and Council Bluffs still need a 24/7 classical radio station.

Allow me to answer those questions.

Routine? Not at KVNO.

We’re continuing to expand our ability to bring you performances from right here in our community. Our team is recording more local concerts and choral performances in venues throughout the region, giving you the opportunity to experience extraordinary music even when you can’t be there in person.

Behind the scenes, we’re also making important technology upgrades to ensure KVNO sounds its best and remains reliable—whether you’re listening at 90.7 FM, streaming at KVNO.org, using the free KVNO app or listening through your smart speaker.

New ground? Bring it on.

In the months ahead, KVNO will introduce new companion streams of classical music designed to complement your listening experience – including a special holiday stream created to make your Christmas a little calmer and more peaceful.

We’ll also be adding exclusive content to the free KVNO app and making it even easier for you to find and enjoy the music, stories and local arts coverage you love.

And 2027 promises even more new opportunities to experience KVNO in ways we hope will surprise and delight you.

Do we still need a classical radio station? I believe we need KVNO more than ever.

The Omaha-Council Bluffs metro has grown into a vibrant community with an incredible range of cultural experiences, artists, musicians and organizations. There is more to discover than ever before. At the same time, the world around us can feel increasingly chaotic. The endless news cycle, political divisions and relentless pace of everyday life can make it difficult to slow down, pay attention and make room for the things that bring us joy and meaning.

That’s where KVNO comes in.

We want to give you a place to pause. A place to discover something beautiful. A place to connect with music, ideas and the people who make our community special.

That is what Stay Classical means to us.

It’s more than listening to classical music. It’s an invitation to make room for beauty, curiosity and connection—in your life and in our community. And after 54 years, we’re just getting started.

We’re working hard today to make sure KVNO can continue serving you – and the generations of listeners who come after you – for decades to come.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for listening, sharing KVNO with your friends and neighbors, and supporting this unique community resource.

Most of all, thank you for giving us the privilege of being part of your life for the past 54 years.

Happy birthday, KVNO. And wherever you are, however you listen, we hope you’ll Stay Classical.