It is owned by San Diego State University (SDSU) as part of KPBS Public Media, and is a sister station to PBS member KPBS-TV (channel 15).

The two outlets share studios at The Conrad Prebys Media Complex in Copley Center on Campanile Drive, part of the SDSU campus.

Weekdays begin with Morning Edition from National Public Radio, with local news updates from the KPBS-FM staff.

Most of the other programs are also supplied by NPR and other public radio networks: All Things Considered, Marketplace, Fresh Air, 1A, Here and Now and The World.

Monday through Thursday, KPBS-FM produces a one-hour San Diego-focused interview and call-in show, Midday Edition, hosted by Jade Hindmon.

When National Public Radio was launched in 1971, KPBS-FM became one of the network's three charter members in California, along with KCRW in Los Angeles and KQED-FM in San Francisco.

In 2005, San Diego State University bought a commercial FM radio station in an underserved part of Southern California.

The wake-up broadcast Morning Edition was put on the schedule along with midday talk shows including Fresh Air.

[6] When it began broadcasting using HD Radio technology, KPBS-FM added a full time classical music subchannel.