Classical KING is Seattle’s listener-supported classical music station, broadcasting on 98.1 FM across Western Washington and into British Columbia and streaming free online. Founded in 1948, it became a nonprofit public radio station in 2011.
Classical KING (KING-FM 98.1) is an independent, listener-supported nonprofit classical music station in Seattle, Washington, owned by the nonprofit Classic Radio, Inc. Its 98.1 FM signal reaches the Puget Sound region, most of Western Washington and lower British Columbia, and its programming streams free through its app, website, smart speakers and other digital platforms. The station reports about 250,000 weekly radio listeners and runs three continuous channels: Classical KING, Classical Calm and Classical Christmas.
Its mission is to actively grow, diversify and enrich the love of classical music in the community. Programming is rooted in the Pacific Northwest, with more than 50 broadcasts of local concerts from performing partners each year, more than 40 live studio performances, the Friday evening program Northwest Focus LIVE and the Northwest Focus Concert Calendar. Classical KING is co-located with Seattle Opera at Seattle Center.
The station was founded by broadcasting pioneer Dorothy Stimson Bullitt in 1948 and was later donated to a nonprofit by her daughters. It operated as a commercial classical station until 2011, when it became a noncommercial, listener-supported public radio station. Classical KING hires for roles in philanthropy and membership, programming and on-air hosting, digital content and partnerships.
