KQED is a non-profit public media outlet serving as the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California. Its broadcasting coverage reaches all nine Bay Area counties. The organization operates multiple radio stations, including 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa, and 88.1 FM in Martinez, alongside Channel 9 television.
The outlet produces award-winning news programming such as Forum and The California Report, as well as original podcasts including The Bay, Bay Curious, and Political Breakdown. Its work spans public media, journalism, and education, supported by its community rather than commercial advertising. KQED operates as an alternative to commercial media, aspiring to serve as a leading convener of civic dialogue in the region.