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SEATTLE — Seattle-based KEXP(FM) has long positioned itself as a champion of human-curated radio, as evidenced by its slogan, “Where the Music Matters.” In a strategic move to align technology with its commitment to live DJ-driven programming, the nonprofit arts organization has partnered with U.K.-based Broadcast Radio to implement its Myriad playout system. The relationship, forged at the 2024 NAB Show, marks a significant step in KEXP’s evolution.
KEXP’s journey began in 1972 as a student-run station at the University of Washington. Since then, it has grown into an internationally recognized hub for music lovers, built on a foundation of live, DJ-driven programming. Unlike many contemporary stations that lean heavily on automation, KEXP’s DJs personally select and play music on the fly, shaping a unique listening experience.
“Our station is listener-powered and human-curated 24/7,” said Nel Jee Ae Na, broadcast engineering specialist and project manager at KEXP. “The DJ you’re hearing is live in the booth, making selections in realtime.”
This approach extends beyond Seattle. In 2024, KEXP launched a new station, KEXC(FM) in the San Francisco Bay Area, expanding its terrestrial footprint while maintaining its commitment to live curation.
The right playout system
For nearly a decade, KEXP operated within a single-vendor ecosystem for content management and broadcasting. However, the team sought a more adaptable playout system that could accommodate its commitment to live, unscripted radio.
“We quickly realized that most playout solutions in the market are designed for automation,” said Na. “That’s the antithesis of KEXP’s identity.”
This distinction is crucial. As the radio industry increasingly shifts toward automation — where preprogrammed playlists and voice-tracked segments dominate the airwaves — KEXP is moving in the opposite direction, reinforcing the essence of live broadcasting. The station’s DJs are trusted curators, responding in realtime to the mood of the moment, the audience and the music itself.
“In a world of AI-driven music selection and algorithmic programming, we’re keeping it human,” said Na. “That’s what sets us apart.”
The search for a new system led KEXP to the NAB Show in Las Vegas, where its team explored multiple vendor solutions.
“After a series of entertaining conversations with various vendors, we stumbled across Broadcast Radio’s booth,” said Na. “It was immediately clear that Myriad was the solution we were looking for.”
The Broadcast Radio team, led by sales manager Billy Billany, demonstrated Myriad’s flexibility. On the spot, the team began discussing a custom UI tailored to KEXP’s workflow.
“Broadcast Radio stood out because of their willingness to listen and adapt,” said Na. “They understood our mission and were willing to help build a system that truly fit our needs.”
Human curation
KEXP ordered Myriad6 Playout licenses for nine workstations, supporting three broadcast splits.
The system is designed to handle the unique challenges of KEXP’s live curation model, ensuring DJs can seamlessly select from an extensive library of tracks, station IDs and traffic spots.
“Myriad has been a dream partner,” said KEXP broadcast engineer Ian Davidson. “We requested numerous customizations to help DJs curate on the fly, and Broadcast Radio delivered.”
One of the most significant advantages of Myriad is its ability to function without rigid automation while still allowing optional scheduling. This approach aligns with KEXP’s philosophy.
“Most vendors couldn’t understand why we weren’t interested in automation,” said Na. “Some even implied that our approach was a business liability. Myriad was one of the few systems that allowed us to configure our tools exactly how we wanted.”
In a world of AI-driven music selection and algorithmic programming, we’re keeping it human.
Nel Jee Ae Na, broadcast engineering specialist and project manager, KEXP
According to Billany, this flexibility is central to Myriad’s design. “Myriad can be fully automated, fully live, or somewhere in between. It’s a hybrid system that adapts to the broadcaster’s needs rather than forcing the broadcaster to conform to it,” he said. “KEXP is an example of just how versatile Myriad can be.”
Beyond flexibility, Myriad also introduces innovative features tailored to KEXP’s workflow. One key development was creating a nondestructive cue editor, allowing DJs to modify track start and end points without permanently altering the media file — a feature explicitly requested for KEXP’s needs, but likely to benefit other broadcasters.
KEXP’s implementation also takes advantage of Myriad’s support for multiple simultaneous outputs, allowing seamless content management for both its Seattle and Bay Area streams. The Myriad Anywhere remote capabilities further ensure presenters can maintain the same user experience regardless of location, offering a level of mobility that suits KEXP’s dynamic approach to programming.
Billany added that Myriad’s design ensures that while automation is available for stations that need it, it never imposes itself where it isn’t wanted. It allows DJs to retain complete creative control, giving them the ability to shape their programming with the nuance and spontaneity that automation cannot replicate.
System integration
A key requirement for Na was seamless integration with the station’s existing studio infrastructure. KEXP operates on a full Wheatstone WheatNet IP infrastructure, making interoperability critical.
“Our station is fully outfitted with Wheatstone products,” said Davidson. “Integrating Myriad into our existing logic scheme was essential, and so far, communication between Broadcast Radio and Wheatstone has functioned flawlessly.”
Broadcast Radio’s development team even shipped a Wheatstone unit to its U.K. offices to ensure tight integration. This approach ensured Myriad could work within KEXP’s existing infrastructure while improving operational efficiency.
Billany also says that Myriad’s ability to scale and evolve with technological advancements ensures long-term viability for broadcasters looking to future-proof their operations.
While the entire system rollout is still underway, early feedback from KEXP’s technical team has been positive. The following steps involve user testing with key stakeholders, fine-tuning workflows, and refining the UI to best serve the station’s DJs.
“The response so far has been great,” said Na. “We’re building something that truly supports human curation, and Broadcast Radio has been an incredible partner in making that happen.”
With Myriad, KEXP is reinforcing its mission — proving that in an era of increasing automation, live radio curation remains not just relevant, but essential.
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