Frank Christel

Director of Broadcast Services

Frank Christel has been a part of Public Radio Tulsa for over thirty years, first as Chief Engineer, then General Manager, and now as The University of Tulsa's Director of Broadcast Services. In 2004, he was instrumental in signing Classical 88.7 KWTU on-the-air. Before that, he worked at KBJH, KCFO, KAKC, and KBEZ in Tulsa and also served in the Navy during the Vietnam era. 

He was introduced to the magic of radio by his 9th grade math teacher who would, in class, play tape recordings of Stan Freberg's radio shows. His love of electronics grew by building hi-fi and shortwave radio electronic kits.

He's quite proud of his two daughters, three grandchildren, and is blessed by his lovely bride of more than 40 years.

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The Golden Age of Yesteryear
7:40 am
Sat May 12, 2012

Tulsa's Top 40 Legend: KAKC - The Big 97

  • Part 1 - Decade of Dominance
  • Part 2 - The Drake Years

Listen to the documentary, as broadcast on Public Radio 89.5-1

For nearly two decades, KAKC AM 970 was Tulsa's top-rated radio station. From the mid 50s to the mid 70s, KAKC ruled the teen and young adult audience, dominating the local radio scene like no other station has before or since.

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What's New?
7:53 pm
Fri May 11, 2012

Terry Gross: you've never seen her this way before

Last night's This American Life Live event was great fun and a great success: more than 200 fans attended at the Cinemark theaters in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. Public Radio Tulsa station staff enjoyed meeting and greeting listeners.

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What's New?
2:57 pm
Wed May 9, 2012

S.E Hinton's "The Outsiders" on Studio 360

Credit Warner Bros. / Studio 360

45 years ago, Tulsan S.E. Hinton broke every rule for young adult fiction and created an American icon. Way back before The Hunger Games there was The Outsiders. Studio 360's Lu Olkowski came to Tulsa to talk to Susie Hinton about The Outsiders and its premise now.  Learn More

What's New?
10:43 am
Wed May 9, 2012

Ira Glass Comes to Tulsa

Live radio on the big screen? Yes! Thursday at 7 pm in This American Life's "You Can't Do That on The Radio", a celebration of visuals and music, dance, and comedy. Learn More | Buy Tickets

What's New?
12:41 am
Mon May 7, 2012

Radiolab: Games

A good game--whether it's a pro football playoff, or a family showdown on the kitchen table--can make you feel, at least for a little while, like your whole life hangs in the balance. This hour of Radiolab, Jad and Robert wonder why we get so invested in something so trivial. What is it about games that make them feel so pivotal?

RadioLab airs Thursday at Noon on Public Radio 89.5-1 

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2:23 pm
Fri May 4, 2012

Alec Baldwin Now Has Robert Siegel, Kai Ryssdal, and Sylvia Pagoli Doing What?

OK - enough is enough! Alec Baldwin has finally taken the cake, or cookie, in his attempts to change the face of public radio. Please don't let him ruin NPR. He'll relent only when we reach our fund drive goal.

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2:16 pm
Fri May 4, 2012

Alec "Persuades" Ira Glass To Work For A Different Radio Station

You know Ira Glass from his popular public radio program, This American Life. Until our fund drive goal is reached, Ira is now working for a different radio station, all thanks to Alec's backstage machinations.

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2:07 pm
Fri May 4, 2012

Scott Simon's Future Is Up In The Air, All Thanks To Alec Baldwin

Award-winning NPR journalist Scott Simon has been all over the world, but he's never had an assignment like this. How low - or high - will Alec Baldwin go to hold our beloved radio personalities hostage until our fund drive goal is met?

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1:47 pm
Fri May 4, 2012

Nina Totenberg's New Assignment at NPR

You've never heard Nina like this before. Her usual beat is the Supreme Court for Morning Edition and All Things Considered, but Alec Baldwin has really outdone himself by reassigning her to...well, listen for yourself.

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1:23 pm
Fri May 4, 2012

Alec Reassigns Fresh Air Host

Credit Will Ryan

Alec Baldwin won't let Terry Gross back onto Fresh Air until we meet our fund drive goal. Can't you hear her pain? For Terry's sake, please don't let this go on much longer!

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