USC Radio names John Van Driel as Chief Content Officer

Contact: Allison Engel at (213) 740-1927 or allison.engel@usc.edu

The USC Radio Group, which operates Classical KUSC in Los Angeles and Classical KDFC in San Francisco, which make up America’s most listened to classical network, has hired John Van Driel as Chief Content Officer.

Van Driel will be responsible for overall programming for both stations on all platforms, including on air, online and through social media, and will coordinate the various segments with each other.

Van Driel is currently the vice president of programming and operations for one of the most listened to classical stations in North America, Classical 96.3 in Toronto, Canada, which — unlike KUSC and KDFC — is a commercial station. He also has a long career as an on-air host, with a highly rated evening radio program at his current station.

Bill Lueth, vice president of USC Radio, noted that Van Driel has experience producing hundreds of concert broadcasts, conducting interviews and working closely with artists and arts organizations.

Van Driel “will help us plan more specials and features to encourage audience growth, and continue to keep our programming fresh,” said Lueth. He said that Van Driel will likely serve as a weekend host and, along with Lueth, will be developing new audio products, such as podcasts and alternate streams.

“John is passionate about classical music — his dad was a piano and organ tuner — and he was a history major in college who loves books,” said Lueth. “He is a great listener and highly values teamwork. He is beloved by those who work with him the station and in the arts community.

Added Lueth: “He is excited about programming classical music within the nonprofit environment.”

Van Driel will begin work Nov. 7.

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Classical KUSC, located in the USC building in downtown Los Angeles, broadcasts hand-picked commercial-free classical performances, expert music commentary and coverage of the arts in Southern California. The listener-supported station has been broadcasting for more than 60 years as a broadcast service of the University of Southern California at 91.5(FM) in Los Angeles and Santa Clarita, 88.5 KPSC in Palm Springs, 91.1 KDSC in Thousand Oaks, 93.7 KDB in Santa Barbara and 99.7 KESC in Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo. It is live-streamed at kusc.org, attracting listeners from around the globe.