Classical California is the listener-supported classical music public radio service of the University of Southern California, combining KUSC in Los Angeles and KDFC in San Francisco on eleven FM signals across the state, plus streaming and apps.
Classical California is a listener-supported, nonprofit classical music public radio and audio organization and a public service of the University of Southern California (USC). It brings together KUSC (91.5 FM) in Los Angeles and KDFC (90.3 FM) in San Francisco. USC introduced the shared Classical California name in 2022, merged the two stations' on-air lineups into one program service in October 2025, and completed the combination in 2026 with a new visual identity, website and app. Programming originates from studios in downtown Los Angeles and in San Francisco's Arts District.
KUSC signed on from the USC campus on October 24, 1946, as a student-run station, went all-classical in 1973 and grew into one of the most listened-to public radio stations in the country. KDFC began broadcasting in the Bay Area in 1948 as a commercial classical station; USC acquired it in 2011 and moved it to listener-supported public radio.
The organization describes itself as America's largest listener-supported public media organization for classical music, reaching roughly 2 million monthly listeners. Its eleven FM transmitters serve Los Angeles (91.5), San Francisco (90.3), Santa Barbara (93.7), San Luis Obispo (99.7), Palm Springs (88.5), Thousand Oaks (91.1), the Tri-Valley (89.9), Silicon Valley (104.9), Ukiah-Lakeport (92.5), Wine Country (89.9) and Monterey (103.9), and listeners also tune in by streaming at classicalcalifornia.org, on smart speakers and through mobile apps. Beyond the broadcast it presents recorded concerts from Southern California venues, live music events and family programming such as Classical Kids Discovery Days.
Staff in Los Angeles and San Francisco work in on-air and programming, marketing and events, underwriting and sponsorship, membership and fundraising, and business operations. Positions are USC staff jobs, posted and applied for through USC's careers site.
