Another one bites the dust!

[ai4i]

St Louis MO's classical music radio station of sixty one years, KFUO, is being sold to Christian pop/rock station Joy-FM. St. Louis Today reports this. The agreement includes a provision that classical music will remain on the station's HD2 channel for not less than two (2) years from the date of transfer. No word yet as to how St. Louis Public Radio station KWMU will react.

[ai4i]

The latest news is that St. Louis Public Radio station and local NPR affiliate, KWMU is carrying and will continue to carry the full Classical 24 schedule on their HD3 channel. Classic 99 will leave the air forever at 7:00 AM on the morning of Wednesday, July 7'th, 2010.

A part of the article that concerns me says, "...listeners won’t have to pay for a monthly subscription...", because to enjoy the experience of the station, not just the music, one does need to support it/them financially. Listener supported stations are voluntary subscription services and to promote them another way runs counter to all their pledge drives.

[Shapley]

Conventional Classical stations appear to be going the way of the whale. We've not had classical music available here via radio for some time, but that's rural life for you. I think I have a larger classical library than the local college station, which plays classical only a small part of the day.

Most of the classical fans I know have XM or Sirius Radio recievers, or simply listen to CD's. I've no doubt that there are those who can ill-afford the switch to HD, but I have no idea how large their numbers may be.

[ai4i]

Tonight, KFUO's final piece, the Choral Symphony will finish at 10 PM CDST or 11 PM EDST.