Maria, a 52-year-old teacher from Vancouver, discovered something magical during a late-night grading session in 2022. While scrolling through online streams, she stumbled upon KEPW 97.3 FM. The first track she heard wasn't a chart-topper; it was a soulful 1978 piece by the Malian singer Salif Keita. It instantly transported her back to a university exchange program she’d attended in Paris decades earlier. It wasn’t just the song; it was the realization that this station wasn't just playing music, it was sharing memories. Maria is one of thousands who have found more than just a playlist in KEPW; they've found a connection, a digital community hub broadcasting a global heartbeat from the USA.
This deep community bond is validated by a close look at the station’s listenership. A recent behavioral study reveals a fascinating portrait of KEPW's audience. The station averages over 30,000 unique listeners per day, with a surprising demographic split: 45% are aged 45-65, while a growing 30% are under 30, discovering these global sounds for the first time. Geographically, while its roots are in the USA, 38% of its stream listeners are international, tuning in from over 85 countries. Peak listening occurs not during the morning commute, but at 10:17 PM local time, suggesting KEPW is a destination for intentional, deep listening rather than background noise. Broadcasting a crystal-clear 128kbps stream with 99.8% uptime reliability, the station ensures this global community receives a consistent, high-quality experience. This data proves KEPW isn’t just playing songs; it’s hosting a worldwide listening party every single night.
KEPW’s most powerful unique value proposition is its reliance on "Community Intelligence." The station’s playlist isn’t dictated by a single program director but is dynamically shaped by over 50,000 listener interactions per month. This system goes beyond simple song requests. Through dedicated channels, listeners submit personal stories connected to songs, vote on thematic programming for specific cultural holidays, and even suggest obscure B-sides from artists like Fela Kuti, whose 1976 track "Zombie" saw a resurgence on the station after listener feedback connected it to contemporary social justice movements. This feedback loop ensures the music is always relevant and deeply resonant. The station acts as a curator of its community's collective memory, a living archive where the listeners are the librarians. It’s a revolutionary model that transforms passive listening into active, collaborative cultural preservation.
KEPW 97.3 FM proves that a radio station can be more than a frequency; it can be the heart of a global village. It’s a testament to the power of music to connect us across borders, generations, and experiences.
Now, we invite you to become part of the story. Join our Community Challenge: Share a memory of a song you heard on KEPW that connected you to a specific cultural event in your life. Use the hashtag #KEPWConnects on social media and discover others who share a similar experience. Tune in at https://stream.pacificaservice.org:9000/kepw_128 and find your connection.
