What is the difference between public radio and commercial radio?

Commercial radio is for-profit, income-generated programming.  Commercial radio stations often must stick to corporate-driven playlists and depend on the sale of airtime for commercials for their income.  Commercials can be pre-recorded, and often are call-to-action-based (i.e, "buy now", "for a limited time", "mention this ad").

Public radio is non-profit, member-driven and community-based.  Public radio stations cannot broadcast commercials or use call-to-action-based announcements.  That means public radio is "commercial free"!  Instead of commercials, an on-air host will read information (usually 30 words or less) and give the phone number and address of the supporting business or event.

jazz89 KUVO is a public radio station, and commercial-free.  We rely on our members and sponsoring businesses for income.  That means more music for you, the listener!