Once a year, there's a KQED Fest outside of their headquarters, where there's music, food, booths, and a painting wall for all to enjoy. It's nice to support a local nonprofit, being part of the community, and celebrating public broadcasting. Mark your calendar for their next one! read more

See all

I love KQED with a passion. I follow a few of their hosts/writers on social media, and I'm not going to hide that it'd be a dream to be connected to KQED in any capacity, so I'm excited to leave this review. I got to attend the KQED FEST of 2026. It was my first time visiting the headquarters, and the space was just dopamine inducing: open space, walls of windows, areas that just scream community cultivation. There is so much to do at KQED Fest, and this is a FREE event! There was a variety of spaces designed especially for creative kids: painting, playing, looking under microscopes. There were also a good offering for the adults: panels, presentations by NPR, and auditions for Check Please, Bay Area! And if none of that sounds interesting than feel free to take your pick of tours, a stage with local live music (by such greats as: Tiny Desk Concert winner Ruby Ibarra or the 2024 KQED Bay Area Showcase winner Misa James), bingo, and lots of great food and drinks. Of course, I grabbed a little KQED swag as a physical souvenir of the day. I'm hoping (make that manifesting) I'll attend a live taping of any of the wonderful shows filmed right there at the headquarters. Thank you for opening up this incredible space for the public to visit. Attending KQED Fest fulfilled a dream long in the making for me. read more

See all

The KQED headquarters were renovated in 2021 and since then they have been holding events that are entertaining and thought provoking. These events are usually held in the big main room know as The Commons. This evening I attended another wonderful event at KQED! Kapwa: Stories & food that connect us. Celebrating Filipino American history month, an evening rooted in Kapwa - interconnectedness & respect within the community. These events are always eye opening and I always learn something new about food, culture and traditions. KQED is great public television and serves the Bay Area with educational insights as well as entertainment content. Upcoming events can be found on KQED.org. Some events book up quickly and tickets prices are reasonable. Definitely will be back for more events. read more

See all

Always an amazing time for any event or program Love KQED! Very cool and inviting space. I've been a sustaining member for over a decade. Please support your local public programming station. read more

Meh.Unhappy about KQED's reporting. I make monthly donations and their on line reporting is as biased as ever! Katie Benedetti, reporter, clearly showing her personal bias about elections in a city she has no idea about. Can we contact her? OH NO! No email, no phone number, no way to contact and dialog! read more

Everything I listen to or watch on KQED allows me to be informed and not overwhelmed.

I listen to KQED almost daily and am a donor. There's a late afternoon on-air female with a gravelly voice who makes it a challenge to enjoy this listening window. I have to turn the volume down because it's like nails in a chalkboard. read more

When I saw that KQED was promoting a FEST Block Party and Open House, I signed up and was looking forward to this event as KQED had moved into a brand new studio building and it would be cool to check it out. The 11am-6pm event was for participants to learn about your community with KQED shows live on stage, getting to know the trusted journalists, who bring you the local news and arts and culture reporting, go behind the scenes by taking newsroom and studio tours, trying being on mic or on camera with our producers and at media-making workshops, enjoy all-ages art and science activities, savor tasty local bites featured in KQED Food programs and series and groove to performances and live music presented by Noise Pop. The event started at 11am and we found parking three blocks away and got there around 11:45am. We had checked out the agenda online and we wanted to be at The Commons for the Official Welcome with KQED President and CEO Michael Isip at 12 noon and then for NPR's Ailsa Chang's Conversation with The California Report Magazine's Sasha Khokha at 12:15pm. Michael gave a nice speech welcoming us and the community to the first ever Open House and Block Party. He invited us to check out and explore the new facilities. I've heard of Ailsa Chang but haven't had the chance to hear her programming on NPR. She talked about how she fulfilled her parent's dreams of going to a prestigious school, Stanford, and graduated from law school and was an attorney at a law firm in the City. But several years later, she knew being a lawyer was not a career she wanted and sought an internship at KQED. From that internship she eventually advanced to her current position as an award-winning journalist hosting All Things Considered. She talked about what it was like being an Asian-American reporter during a year of attacks against Asian-Americans during Covid and about how people telling her how she should speak and act. Her interview was powerful, emotional and inspiring. I was fortunate to talk to her after the event and get a picture with her. Next we went to see how we could get into the studio tours but found out all the tickets were passed out. Evidently people signed up for the tickets at the open and it was quickly booked and each tour group was small. We then checked out the other floors, which had various activities and sat in the Community Room where they talked about What Makes a Good Podcast Trailer. We then checked out the Roof Terrace, which had nice views. They had coffee, but the canisters were depleted. There was a photo booth on the second floor and we checked out a performance by Richard Humphrey's Rollerdance in the lobby. The Block Party was held on York Street behind the KQED building. There were craft booths, local agency booths, food trucks and a Noise Pop Stage at enjoyed the performance from Satya. It was a fun event and nice to see the KQED offices. Enjoyed Ailsa's interview in the Commons. Only disappointment was that we didn't get into the Studio Tours. Hope KQED with make the Fest and annual event. read more

See all

I'm a loyal listener and proud monthly sustainer of KQED. I truly value the programming, the in-depth news coverage, and the role KQED plays in our community. I'm grateful to be part of this institution. That said, I hope you'll consider this listener feedback seriously: I find Beth Huizenga's hosting style very difficult to listen to. Her voice quality and tone come across as overly affected and childlike, which feels out of place for the otherwise professional standard KQED maintains. I appreciate the station's efforts to include a range of voices, but unfortunately, I've found myself turning off the radio and switching to podcasts when she's on air. I've even avoided the pledge-free stream for this reason. Please take this as constructive feedback from a committed supporter who only wants the best for KQED and its listeners. Thank you, LH read more

I enjoyed attending the KQED Bay Area Boba event. I had a good experience at the KQED facilities in San Francisco. It was a good educational experience. Learned a lot about the history of Boba and seen a live demo from Dave from Urban Ritual make my favorite Boba ever the Crème Brûlée Boba . An unforgettable experience. read more

KQED - Radio Stations Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I think KQED at his year starting to do more outreach events to the public. I went to the highly advertised online KQED open House today 4/29/2023. I didn't realize that people were in line way before the opening time of 11am. I came right on time and wow! There were lots of people 3/4 block long, maybe about 80 people in front front of me? By the time I got into book a tour of the news studio, next time slot was 3:15pm! Do I really want to spend the whole day here? Well I guess so, I heard they remodeled their building, so I had to find things to keep me occupied. I just watch shows on PBS, so I am not familiar with any news or radio programming with KQED but I am familiar with NPR. The talk with NPR Ailsa Chang was quite powerful, enlightening and emotional. I enjoyed this event. I then explored the other floors and visited the TV news room, studios, feedback and radio rooms. There was a block party outside with one food truck, one dessert truck and one vegan food booth. So good options limited unless you want to walk to Mission and come back. Starbucks next door. During the news room tour they did ask people for feedback on what they wanted to see when they turn on PBS news and they wrote people's ideas on their brainstorming pads. I think everyone by now knows that print and radio are pretty much dead media and people are transitioning to online media that people have more control when to watch or listen. Life is busy and some people was quick news. If good story I don't mind spending an hour with a good topic that is more in-depth. So that's my feedback now. It's a lovely building and nice to meet the workers at KQED. I don't know that parent company, KQED in East Coast controls everything and our West Coast side NPR had to fight to do a news story about the heavy rain that turned to floods in SF Bay Area which Ailsa Chang mention in her talk. The only issue with the day was because I was doing the tour I had to miss the two events in the Commons lecture hall. Next time if they were to have an open house, they need to allow more people in for the studio building tour. People who came later in afternoon were just out of luck. Fun event, glad I pushed myself out of the house for it. Hope other Yelper post other photos I missed. Now it's time for a nap. read more

See all

I was born and raised near Washington DC. I watched TV all the time and PBS was good. We liked PBS at home. San Francisco has KQED. I watched it since 2004. Today I got to visit the renovated building at Mariposa at Potrero Hill. PBS Newshour ran Reframe Festival from 9am-6pm. At first I got the streaming pass, and then I was invited to go to the building but I didn't know anybody professionally. There was a gift bag and coffee and coca-cola. The program was professional like a one day conference. I guess I have changed since then. But you know that I was born and raised with PBS Wash DC and KQED was nice at home. Thank you KQED for the service. read more

Today I was learning from a very good show about the ceasefire and what needs to happen next. I appreciate all that you do. But I had a very hard time hearing the show because the signal seemed very intermitent. It made it impossible to listen. read more

I have been a member of KQED for over a dozen years now. I grew up listening to the station in the car with my Dad and remember thinking it was boring. Oh, how that has changed! I'm proud that I've also passed along a love of public radio to my sons. They've grown up with RadioLab, This American Life, and Planet Money. My new job involves a short (half hour each way) commute, but that means that I'm able to listen to KQED consistently. I've started my days feeling so much more informed. I've also had a few instances when one of the segments has either inspired me in a way that I've wanted to be able to share with others. Reaching out via email, I got a response within a day, providing me with a link to the segment in one instance and the audio clip for the segment in the other case. I admittedly have not availed myself of their television service in many years, so this review does not refer to that platform at all. read more

Mission statement: KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported, non-profit alternative to commercial media. Almost as many commercials as regular commercial radio these days We celebrate diversity, embrace innovation, value lifelong learning and partner with those who share our passion for public service Their diversity means you either subscribe to our point of view or GTFO. read more

The recent documentary on The Doughnut King was one of the best things I recently seen on TV - it showcased the life of a refugee, provided some history on the war in Cambodia, included clips of US presidents commenting on the contributions of immigrants, provided an honest glimpse of how an industrious, hardworking man became a mover and a shaker both within and without the Cambodian community and of his eventual downfall. It's a powerful and beautifully produced video. Thank you KQED@! read more

Simply the best! KQED is my constant companion. If you're looking for unbiased "real" news, look no further than the San Francisco NPR affiliate KQED. read more

PBS/KQED TV's Black History Month broadcasts. disclosure: former leadership circle donor, (PBS now too corporate for me, so nada now. David Koch is co-sponsors on some programs) Feb. broadcasts: -MLK, "road to memphis" and "the March" -"American Masters"- "Lorraine Hansberry:Sighted Eyes/Felling Heart". author of "Raisin in the Sun" first Black writer of broadway play. mixes her writing and political activism before cancer intervened. -"American Masters":-"Maya Angelou:"And still I sing.". -"Indie Lens"- "I am not your Negro" James Baldwin'sshed novel basis for documentary on his views on race in America. -"Great Performances"-"Nas Live from Kennedy Center: Classic Hip Hop". symphonic rendition of 2 decades old "illmatic" hip hop classic. -"indie Lens"; "we'll meet again" Freedom Summer" Ann Curry reunites Freedom Summer participates programs scheduled by PBS in april, check local PBS affiliate for time broadcasted -Black America since MLK: and Still I Rise (4/3-4) Henry Louis Gates: "Out of the Shadows"/Move on Up(4/3) "Keep your Head Up/Rock the Sky: (4/4) -American Experience: Road to Memphis(4/3) -Africa's Great Civilization: -The Black Panthers:Vanguard of the Revolution , " -Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the politics of Race, " -Deep City: The Birth of a Movement- check listings -Indie Lens: Birth of a Movement: " -John Lewis: Get in the Way, " -The Talk: Race in American, " read more

If you wanna get some rather interesting insight check them out on "Charity Navigator" (my default vetting sight) they received $26 M and paid their two top/former employees $450K and $960K , further break downs are also available. While on the above site they provide further additional insights like the apparent fact KQED don't wanna hear from you the subscribers, their underwriters, just keep sending $ $ $ They lost me when they jettisoned "Frontline", such a silly shame. read more

I've been listening to NPR on a daily basis, religiously, for years. In the D.C. area where the headquarters are (been there!) and the local NPR station in Atlanta (WABE 90.1 where I volunteered to raise funds for NPR)... and I just realized today that I greatly miss waking up to NPR. I woke up to Renee Montagne and Steve Inskeep (Morning Edition) for years and years!! Unfortunately, I left my radio alarm clock behind on the wrong coast. How did I go for months, even an entire year(!!!) during a pandemic without listening to NPR every day??? That's crazy!!!!!! So, today, I decided to spend a good part of my night just listening to NPR or KQED in the SFBA. Loved all the perspectives on climate change! Day 3 of being really nice to myself. read more

I am disappointed in the management at KQED TV. They seem to think they cover local news by presenting a program once a week on Friday evening (on non holiday weekends) with a mediocre commentator worse than previous commentators. They tell members they want comments, but nothing is heard. Sometimes they present movies at 8 pm on Saturday evenings, but sometimes they do not. It is hard to predict. All programming is arbitrary. They present many fund raising programs. Some like Rick Steves I enjoy listening to. Others offer questionable content. They need more competent management. read more

From childhood to adulthood, you've been a constant and pivotal part of my life and growth. I learned English thanks to Sesame Street, I loved cooking shows before it was cool and there was a Food Network, I look for antiques everywhere I go... and most importantly, during the certain seasons, I taken to an Edwardian country house! You'll always have my support and thanks! Check please! read more

See all

I don't watch much TV, but since I'm interested in politics (and need to learn how to cook) I regularly watch KQED's news and public affairs programming and cooking shows. I want to especially acknowledge Newsroom and the two hosts it's had since the name was revived in 2013, Thuy Vu and Priya David Clemens. Thuy is an exceptional journalist, with a razor-sharp mind and a welcome impartiality--I watched her nearly every week for almost six years and still don't know where she falls on the political spectrum. We were lucky to have her. Her replacement, Ms. Clemens, is off to a promising start, with a style I'd call "thoughtful". I was particularly impressed with her interviews of local religious leaders on how they've coped with the pandemic restrictions, and I'm not usually interested in reporting on organized religion. Last week she made an obvious effort to pick up the pace, which suggests she's getting feedback that "thoughtful" puts viewers to sleep. That's unfortunate--I hope there can still be a small space reserved for calm, objective reporting. As for KQED itself, I started watching the station again a few years ago after a long period of TV viewing that consisted solely of watching a local commercial station's reporters chew the scenery and call it nightly news programming. The KQED I expected to see when I came back was the one I first discovered in 1967, TV that to a teenager from another part of the country was bleeding-edge and revelatory. The local programming was superb, and KQED was running Pete Seeger's syndicated show while he was still nationally black-listed for his activism. The original Newsroom, created during the 1968 San Francisco newspaper strike, was mind blowing in its concept and attitude. So, yeah, KQED has changed, but so has the media scene, with edginess and "relevance" co-opted by alternate information channels. KQED seems to be trying to adapt to this reality within the formidable constraints of good taste and its broadcasting license. The embarrassing informercials are for the eroding "base", boomers. Much of the rest of the nightly programming seems geared toward attracting Terribly Earnest millennials, and rightly so--if the station has a future, they're it. I'm not in the market for either programming, but there's still enough on KQED to keep me watching. And we'll always have Paris. read more

I love oh wait let me re-phrase that, I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching PBS! Specifically- the Antiques Roadshow- because someday I know I will stumble across a Tiffany Torchiere in a garage sale and pay only a dollar for it! But what makes this even more a favorite channel is the cooking show "Lidia's Italy." Lidia reminds me so much of my grandmother who made cooking look so effortless and simple showing us how to preserve old family secrets with cooking. On one lazy sunday afternoon, Lidia, managed to get me out of my rut and had me hand rolling pasta to make her famous Makaruni pasta with mushroom. On this particular episode- Lidia had her granddaughter as a guest to help her roll the makaruni pasta, telling her how she learned how to make it from her "noni" and there she was imparting the same wisdom and value in making the wholesome comfort dish. I probably know half of what I know about filipino cooking grace to my own noni who noticed my own interest in cooking at an early age. I decided to make this pasta dish on my own- first off because I love home made pasta- and second I love mushrooms. Again- it appears to be easy but I recommend getting an extra hand to help roll the wonderful treats...Ha! So here's the recipe: Ingredients Pasta: 2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces) Dash of salt 6 tablespoons water 1 1/2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil 5 large egg yolks 6 quarts water Sauce: 2 1/4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 2 ounces dried morel mushrooms 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil 1 cup thinly sliced onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 pounds cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/4 cup no-salt-added tomato paste 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon truffle oil 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Preparation 1. To prepare pasta, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and dash of salt in a food processor. Combine 6 tablespoons water, 1 1/2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil, and egg yolks in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. With processor on, slowly pour water mixture through food chute, processing just until dough forms a ball. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead lightly 5 times. Shape dough into a disk. Dust dough lightly with flour; wrap in plastic wrap. Let stand 30 minutes. 2. Pat dough into a 3 x 8-inch rectangle 1-inch thick. Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Working with 1 portion at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), divide dough into 14 equal pieces. Roll each piece between your palms back and forth, into a strand about 2 inches long. Place strands on a well-floured jelly-roll pan. Repeat procedure with remaining dough portions to form 112 strands. 3. Bring 6 quarts water to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Place pasta in a sieve, and shake off excess flour. Add pasta to pan. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes or until done; drain. 4. To prepare sauce, bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add morel mushrooms to pan. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 40 minutes. Drain morel mushrooms through a colander over a bowl, reserving morel mushrooms and liquid. Halve morel mushrooms lengthwise; set aside. 5. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan, and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Clear a spot in bottom of pan. Add garlic to clear spot in pan, and saute for 30 seconds. Add salt, thyme, and pepper; sauté 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Add reserved morel mushrooms and cremini mushrooms to pan. Cover, reduce heat, and cook for 4 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to medium-high, and cook 2 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates, stirring frequently. Clear a spot in bottom of pan. Add tomato paste to clear spot; cook 1 minute. Stir tomato paste into mushroom mixture. 6. Stir in 1 cup reserved mushroom liquid. Cook for 8 minutes or until very thick, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining mushroom liquid; cook for 4 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring occasionally. Add pasta and parsley to sauce mixture; toss well. Stir in truffle oil. Serve with cheese. COOKING NOTES: I used a mixture of Shitaki , baby portabellas and Oyster mushrooms. I recommend heartier texture mushroom like tubers, morels and cremini if you can get them. I added an extra teaspoon (dried). Did not add truffle oil- but used 2 tbsps of butter instead. The recipe is an adaptation from the show and I followed it through with wonderful results. The pasta had a slightly gnocchi texture- not as pillowy soft but doughy and buttery. OH most important- do not OVERCOOK the pasta- otherwise it will be rubbery! read more

See all

What in the world is going on with good old KQED?? Almost another month goes by without a new show. or a welcome rerun. We are deprived of regular programming, and made senseless by constant pledging with strange and obscure titles. (Peter Paul and Mary, again!!!) I have been a KQED subscriber since the 90's, and fail to see how well current pledge programming is doing to win new subscribers. No change by October, and I will be cancelling my subscription. Sandra Shamis read more

Prior to the 2016 presidential elections, I would've given KQED 5 stars however, the 2016 elections revealed how biased KQED is against Conservatives. I assumed they would go back to providing valuable news and decrease their debates/aggressive attitude towards conservative speakers who air on their show but it still continues till this day. I have decided to remove KQED from my radio pre-sets to avoid feeling irritated with their left-wing state-of-mind and topics. read more

I happily subscribe to and greatly enjoy TWO other NPR stations. Neither of them resemble KQED. For years I tried to discover how to subscribe to KQED - only the two other stations I found made this easy and transparent. The two other stations I enjoy have a majority of classical music in their programming. I haven't heard any classical music from KQED ....EVER in the several decades I've lived in the SF bay area. SF has ONE classical music station, and that's NOT ENOUGH. Whenever I listen or watch other NPR stations they have programming balanced between high art and reporting, analysis and good music. e.g WGBH If I must label myself, I'm libertarian, taking the best from the left, and the best from the right, and the best from the center. However, there's no balance at KQED - its _all_ about socialism, droning about diversity-for-its-own-sake, the problems of illegal immigrants & other scofflaws, and how abhorrent are conservatives or the right. There's no insight or real perspective - it all seem to be programmed by illiterate, uninformed, 20-something scofflaws. I won't say more about KQED, especially not how the inflated subscriptions support MANY layers of management. read more

Thank God for NPR. I actually took into consideration when choosing between jobs (that I probably wouldn't have gotten without NPR, because I'd be that much dumber) how much NPR time I'd get during the commute. Not the most important factor, but my poor deflated brain cells (Science Friday would probably teach me that brain cells do not, in fact, deflate...but whatever) need all the help they can get. It's a tragedy that I don't wake up early enough to catch or comprehend most of the news (as my alarm wakes me to this station) and am instead stuck with Forum which has interesting topics, but accepts calls from listeners that make yearn for the thunka thunka for 92.7. I firmly believe that there can ARE stupid questions...when you're "live" on-air. But what's worse are the egotistical ranters who Michael Krasney has to shut-down on air. Love him. Hate them. read more

Review on Check Please Bay Area: First of all PBS has some really quality shows: Nova, the cooking shows, Sesame Street, and whatever else. But yelpers may really appreciate Check Please Bay Area. This is a local foodies dream come true, and there's something endearing about having the owner trying to relate their passion for their restaurant. The show is especially satisfying when you see a restaurant you like being reviewed. Thanks to the show I discovered a couple of winners: Hard Knox Cafe and Canto Do Brazil. Unfortunately, I've also been to a couple of duds: biggest one is Cha Cha Cha on Haight. How do we get more folks from yelp to be on this show? read more

Screw food network, the best shows about food are on PBS. In this day and age of reality show bullshit (ok I make the exception for FX/AMC and the others putting out quality original writing) it's great to still have channels where I can learn things. read more

I am writing not only about the TV station but the experience of volunteering for them. I have helped man the phone for 2 pledge drives and they make it easy and fun. You get covered parking, good food and we were on TV. Lots of fun and the employees are very cool. I work or volunteer for a number of non-profits and for those of you who don't like them asking for money, you have to realize that without asking constantly you go out of business. Statistics show the average donor is asked 7 times before they donate. So if you only ask people once or twice you are doomed. I have a position in another non-profit and I am used to asking people to be generous and I know they don't like it but it's a reality. read more

KQED provides the Bay Area with the finest television programming available. I grew up watching Sesame Street on KQED, and now enjoy such fine productions as Masterpiece Theater/Classics, Mystery, Check Please!, Nature, etc. KQED also periodically organizes special events and I am SO lucky to be attending a Downton Abbey tea and preview screening event happening tomorrow! I'm so excited to see the new season of this masterful British drama. read more

Extreme left, both in reporting and choice of subject matter. Extraordinary obsession with identity politics. You will like this station if you are minority, immigrant, or queer. And this criticism comes from the left. read more

I made the mistake of donating once, and now I get a ridiculous amount of mail asking for more money. I also find it really annoying that every program I find even semi-interesting is rife with interludes in which they beg for more money. Not to mention the infomercial programs selling quack science. What is this, QVC? I've been a fan of public TV and radio all of my life. I used to consider it an important bedrock of our democracy. But how times have changed. KQED seems to have been reduced to fund raising infomercials with a bit of decent programming tucked in here and there. I just wish I could figure out how to stop them from sending me all this goddamn mail. read more

KQED has not improved in the past year. They have solid lineups on Friday evenings and the weekends, but that's it. Saturdays has standouts like The Moth Radio Hour, This American Life, Radiolab, Snap Judgment, but that's as good as the week gets. Michael Krasny's Forum is hit-and-miss; recently, he tackled traffic&homelessness in San Rafael, hosted at the San Rafael Film Center. I skipped KQED during the RNC and DNC (they didn't mention the suppression of Sanders delegates from Oregon&California) They used to have decent music programming, but that's been long gone. Talk has replaced music. Prairie Home Companion will gets its new mandolin-playing hipster from Portland this October, so far, it's reruns. KPFA and KDFC are more interesting than this station, even if they're playing droning oboe concerti. read more

A story aired this morning on 88.5. A woman was at her neighborhood café in San Francisco. She has been a regular there for two or so years. She knew the owner by his first name and that he was Palestinian, but not much else. The owner knew her by her first name and that she was Jewish, but not much else. She placed her purse under her seat while she was having her usual coffee. Another woman came into the cafe, snatched the Jewish woman's purse, and took off down the street. The owner saw the woman in distress. He went to the cash register and opened the drawer, counted out $300, and gave it to her. He told her to take the money until she can replace her ATM/Credit cards, ID, and such. She thanked him and took the money. She really needed it to replace her stolen items. A couple days later she returned and not only paid him back, but she also brought him a home cooked meal to show her gratitude. Now, why am I telling you this story? To point out that there is hope in this world? Neighbors should always help neighbors? Kindness reciprocates kindness? If you want a home cooked meal do something nice for your woman? All that is good. However, the real reason is that I didn't catch the location of this café and I REALLY need to know where this kind gentleman is located. SOME fuckin' wealthy crook stole roughly 30% of my 401K, a nice percentage of my meager investments, and I'm hoping he can help me out until I can recover my losses. Yes, $300 will do for now. OVERALL: I love KQED because not only does it share the latest and greatest news without an abundance of bullshit advertisements, but also gives you moments of story time and perspectives into REAL people's lives. KQED is all about the public and 100% supported by the public. It does lean a little left, but hey, this is the Bay Area and we know which way the wind blows. read more

KQED - I hate you for unscrupulously taking advantage of my mailing address when I sent you a nice donation and selling my address to tons of other mailing lists. So now from that one donation, I get junk mail from at least 10 other 3rd party companies/orgs. And when I called KQED to have my name taken off, it was a huge hassle. One person answered the call and immediately hung up when I made a request for my name to be taken off the list. Then I called again and I got the run around to another person who gave me the "I don't know". Finally after the 4th call I got someone who said they'd take me off the list. Good tip to findng who is selling your address to other companies: I know KQED sold my address since I use a special system where I change my middle initial depending on whom I'm giving my address to. So I used (First Name) K. (Last Name) when I signed up for KQED since "K" is not really my middle initial. Not to my surprise, I started getting all this mail in the subsequent months for (First Name) K. (Last Name). BUSTED!! Bottom line: Love your shows but you took advantage of my generosity and made money selling my name and mail to other lists withouth asking me. Now I will be junked mailed incessantly. SO WATCH OUT WHEN YOU DONATE TO KQED!!! read more

KQED is all right. Honestly, I watch the San Mateo County PBS station more often because it seems to focus more on nature and animal shows, at least when I'm watching it. KQED has all your public-television least favorites: That annoying guy with the beard selling his New Age Ponzi scheme, endless impersonal fund drives, people supposedly trying to help you make money (although I've never heard of a financial adviser who walks around on a stage and tries to make people feel better about themselves), annoying music shows that seem to be constantly overlaid with endless credits. Oh, and I forgot to mention the seeming decades of internal advertising between shows. But then there's my favorite least favorite: the commercials. Commercials are why I'll never give money to PBS, either TV or radio. I understand you have to make money, but since when are you allowed to show honest-to-goodness commercials on the air? Remember when it was just the logo and/or the station's actual voice-over person naming the "sponsor"? Well, now there's just normal commercials. And some of them are bad. I expect to be annoyed by commercials, but is it really appropriate for Chuck E. Cheese's to be sponsoring kids' programming? I thought PBS was about not being corporate and not being like commercial TV. Yes, I do like a lot of the programs on KQED, but they never seem to be on when I want to watch them. And this advertising has got to stop. read more

The day I became an adult was not the day I moved into my own apartment, or balanced a checkbook, or stayed late at work because I really wanted to finish what I was working on. It was the day I realized that I (1.) really, actually think Barbra Streisand is great, and (2.) prefer listening to NPR over pretty much anything else. Oh, no wait. That was the day I became my dad. read more

I appreciate some of the programming, but I think they should quit pretending to be "public, commercial free" television. But they have plenty of commercials now. I've called their membership office and gotten the run-around. No one has directly addressed my question: "Why do you say you're a listener supported non commercial station - but you air commercials?" Maybe I'm missing something.... but please drop the fund drives. Hit up your sponsors, dudes. Please drop the "non-commercial" act. When you do, I'll up the stars... read more