Classical Radio-Public or Commercial

[Wizzywig]

It is so refreshing to listen on the internet. Finally I have left the "support" issue behind. A few years ago Philadelphia PA lost its Commercial Classical radio station. Doesn't make enough money- the new owners said as they tried a version of Adult Contemptible (sic) which failed the next year. A local university halved their jazz format (not fair to either side) and, using some of the personnel of the former station, now has a successful Classical daytime service.<BR>Since the classical audience is made up of well-heeled "pillars" of the community and a city without a classical station is culturally deprived, why don't the commercial stations make enogh money to operate.<BR>Anybody else have strong feelings about this issue? :confused:

[barfle]

I don't know if my feelings are all that strong, other than it being a shame that my favorite type of music doesn't seem to attract the support I wish it did.<P>The economics of broadcasting are very strange. I know that the vast majority of radio stations exist because of the passion of the owners and workers, not because anybody's getting rich. I also know that a business doesn't prosper if it's not making somebody at least well-off.<P>A classical station in Los Angeles (KFAC) at one time had both AM and FM transmitters. A fairly large broadcasting company bought them for way too much money (I don't blame the former owners - I would have sold, too), then found that the ad revenues wouldn't cover the debt. They ended up as an "urban" station, which is sooooo far from classical that it's scary. A lot of people in LA were very upset. A jazz station decided to do just about the same thing your Philly station did, playing classical during drive times, then eventually going full-time classical. Of course, that upset the jazz fans.<P>We're what's known as a "niche" market. Most of my friends don't know classical music from Percy Faith or David Rose. I think we should be glad for what we've got, and do what we can to support those who serve our interests.

[Wizzywig]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wizzywig:<BR><STRONG>It is so refreshing to listen on the internet. Finally I have left the "support" issue behind. A few years ago Philadelphia PA lost its Commercial Classical radio station. Doesn't make enough money- the new owners said as they tried a version of Adult Contemptible (sic) which failed the next year. A local university halved their jazz format (not fair to either side) and, using some of the personnel of the former station, now has a successful Classical daytime service.<BR>Since the classical audience is made up of well-heeled "pillars" of the community and a city without a classical station is culturally deprived, why don't the commercial stations make enogh money to operate.<BR>Anybody else have strong feelings about this issue?

[barfle]

Soitnly!<P>One thing I've discovered about radio is that the only constant is change. If there really is a format vacuum, someone will come along to fill it. It may not be right away, but it'll happen.<P>Good luck in Philly.

[dai bread]

We had a commercial classical station for a few years, but it suffered from Takeoveritis and died. Its format was rather like BR. and it was very nice to listen to, even allowing for the ads.<P>Our publicly-funded "classical" station covers quite a number of fields, including jazz, and, would you believe it, pop (of all sorts). The pop has more or less emphasised history, so has some sort of intellectual content. It's a very good station, but it doesn't broadcast on the web. If it did, I would never have found BR.<P>I don't agree that lovers of classical music are well-heeled either. We tended to be, or at least had reasonable expectations in that direction (university students) but in these days when new wealth depends only on ability to sell, you get all types in the rich list.<P>We have 27 radio stations in this town, most of them playing Today's Top Ten, or something like that, so somebody's making money. There are only 1 million of us in the greater Auckland region. Perhaps we're just getting fleeced. :confused: