Originally, the station was located in the Library Building and operated at a power of 10 watts. Because of the station's low output power, KSBR covered only a few miles surrounding the campus. It began operation as a National Public Radio affiliate, but five years later, the station reconfigured its operations to enhance the college's instructional broadcasting program. The programming elements used by the students during their air shifts are applicable to a wide range of formats used throughout commercial radio industry. In addition to music, KSBR-FM hosts a highly acclaimed local News Department.
News is broadcast every half-hour in the mornings and hourly throughout the day.
KSBR-FM has received numerous awards from Associated Press for excellence in news coverage. The station also provides candidate forums and election-night coverage of important county and city races and examines important issues facing county residents on its weekly public affairs program, Collage.