KNOU

KNOU (96.3 MHz) is an FM radio station in St. Louis, Missouri, branded as "Now 96-3". Owned by Emmis Communications, the station's studios are located in the Powerhouse building at St. Louis Union Stations, while the transmitter is located in Shrewsbury.

KNOU has two HD channels. 96.3-HD2 airs a classical music format operated by the non-profit Radio Arts Foundation branded as "RAF STL" (relayed on FM translator K297BI 107.3 FM), while 96.3-HD3 airs a smooth jazz format as "Hip 96.3".

History

The 96.5 frequency originally went on the air on December 11, 1959 as KADI under the ownership of William Cady, making it one of the first commercial FM radio stations in the St. Louis area. KADI spent most of the 1960s on and off the air in the early turbulent days of FM radio. By the early 1970s, the station was sold to Richard J. Miller, who would put a Progressive Rock format on the air. In the mid-'70s, KADI moved down one notch on the dial to 96.3 MHz to allow new station KSCF (now known as KFTK) in Florissant to go on the air at 97.1 MHz.