Classical KING and KUOW expand partnership to bring "Classical Calm" to local listeners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE
Seattle, WA — As public media organizations across the country adapt to changes in federal funding and a shifting media landscape, many are rethinking how they serve their communities. In Seattle, as listeners seek ways to step back from the pace of the day, Classical KING and KUOW are expanding their partnership, focused on innovation, resource sharing, and deeper engagement with local audiences.
Starting May 4, 2026, KUOW will carry Classical KING’s Classical Calm stream on its app and online, offering listeners a way to reset and refocus through thoughtfully curated music. In turn, Classical KING will feature KUOW’s daily news podcast Seattle Now across its website and newsletters, helping more people connect with trusted local journalism in the Puget Sound region.
A Shared Commitment to Serving the Community
KUOW and Classical KING first piloted a partnership in December 2025. KUOW added Classical KING's Classical Christmas stream to its app, and the response was overwhelmingly positive — both in engagement numbers and community feedback on the partnership.
This new expanded partnership reflects a shared commitment between KUOW and Classical KING to serve the public and a belief that both journalism and music play an essential role in daily life.
Both organizations provide their services freely to the community, without subscriptions or paywalls, ensuring that access to information and music remains open to everyone. KUOW offers trusted news and information, while Classical KING provides music that helps people process, reflect, and reconnect. Together, they create a more complete experience for listeners across the Puget Sound region.
At a time when public media organizations are facing real challenges, from changes in federal funding to the pace and intensity of global news, KUOW and Classical KING are focusing on what matters most: being there for their communities. This partnership is one way of doing that, offering both trusted information and space for reflection when listeners need it.
“We are living through a moment where so much feels uncertain and outside of our control,” said Michelle Maestas Simonsen, Chief Content and Engagement Officer at Classical KING. “What we can do is show up for our communities in a way that feels steady and human. Music has always been a place people turn to for that sense of balance, and this partnership is about making sure that space is there for anyone who needs it.”
Creating Space for Listeners
Classical Calm is built for everyday life.
It plays quietly in the background during the workday, on a commute, or at the end of the evening. Whether someone is driving along I-5, walking through their neighborhood, or taking a moment between meetings, Classical KING’s Classical Calm stream offers a way to pause and regain a sense of balance before continuing with the day.
On the KUOW app, listeners can now move easily between streaming live news and Classical Calm, choosing what they need in the moment, all within a single, easy-to-use experience. The stream also remains available through Classical KING’s app, website, and Alexa skills.
“Public media has a responsibility to support people not only in how they stay informed, but in how they navigate their day,” said Kerry Swanson, Chief Operating Officer at KUOW. “By offering Classical Calm alongside our news coverage, we are creating space for listeners to reset and return to that information with more clarity and perspective.”
Public Media Working Together
This effort shows what can happen when public media organizations collaborate with intention.
By working together, KUOW and Classical KING are able to offer something neither could do in quite the same way on their own. It reflects a broader shift in public media, supporting not just how people access information, but how they experience it.
This partnership also serves as a pilot for how organizations can share resources and expand what they offer to their communities without duplicating effort, strengthening the public media ecosystem across the Puget Sound region.
Available May 4
Classical Calm will be available starting May 4, 2026 on the KUOW app and at KUOW.org.
Listeners can access the stream at any time, wherever they are. In a fast-moving world, even a few minutes of calm can make a difference. This partnership makes that moment easier to find.
About Classical KING
Classical KING is a nonprofit public radio station based in Seattle. Its mission is to enrich lives and build community through classical music, serving listeners across the Pacific Northwest and beyond with thoughtfully curated programming.
About KUOW
KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is a nonprofit news organization and NPR member station, dedicated to producing fact-based, independent journalism that informs and connects the community.
