KRVS 88.7 FM, which broadcasts from the University of ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ at Lafayette campus, turned 50 this year.
The Federal Communications Commission granted the station its FM license Aug. 8, 1963. The 10-watt station was a student-run operation. Its signal covered a radius of about six blocks.
KRVS is now a member station of National Public Radio, broadcasts at 100,000 watts and reaches 12 ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ parishes. Its website, which offers live streaming and archived podcasts, draws a global audience.
In addition to original programming that ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥s performances and interviews with ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ musicians, the station produces annual live broadcasts of popular festivals, including Festival International de Louisiane and Festivals Acadiens et Creoles.