About MPR

Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR) is one of the nation’s premier public radio organizations, producing programming for radio, digital and live audiences. Operating a 45-station terrestrial radio network, MPR serves nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. MPR’s three regional services —MPR News, YourClassical MPR and The Current— reach 1 million listeners each week. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be found online.

Mission: Creating the future of public media by amplifying voices to inform, include, and inspire.

Vision: A connected America fueled by trust and understanding.

Overview and History

Since its origins as a single classical music station in 1967 at KSJR in Collegeville, Minn., MPR has earned more than 1,000 broadcasting and journalism awards, including seven George Foster Peabody Awards (dubbed the “Oscar of broadcasting”), six Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards, a prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Gold Baton Award and a Grammy Award.

Minnesota Public Radio uses its regional network and technical infrastructure to deliver vital public services throughout Minnesota, specifically: the state’s Emergency Alert System (EAS); the state’s AMBER Alert System, used for child-abduction warnings; and Radio Talking Book, the reading service from the Minnesota State Services for the Blind.

Minnesota Public Radio’s 100-seat UBS Forum provide venues for discussion forums, political debates, program recordings, cultural programming and more.

Founders Circle: The Minnesota Public Radio Founders Circle recognizes and honors founders Father Colman Barry, O.S.B., and Minnesota Public Radio President Emeritus, Bill Kling, whose vision and passion created Minnesota Public Radio. The Founders Circle also recognizes the extraordinary generosity of Saint John’s University as the founding institution of Minnesota Public Radio.

American Public Media manages MPR’s national programming. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world and the distributor of several public radio programs—including Performance Today®and Marketplace®—reaching 20 million listeners on nearly 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. It is the largest producer and distributor of classical music programming in the country. Learn more about American Public Media.

MPR Quick Facts

  • MPR began broadcasting from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., on January 22, 1967.

  • Every week, 20 million people listen to programming by Minnesota Public Radio’s national programming.

  • MPR has 45 network stations and 41 translators.

  • Contributions from corporations, foundations, institutional sponsors and individuals make up 60% of MPR’s overall budget.

  • MPR News has received more than 1,000 awards, including the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, George Foster Peabody Award and numerous national Edward R. Murrow Awards.

  • American Public Media distributes more classical music programming than any other media outlet and ranks second in the nation for overall public radio programming production volume.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.