Saving Public Media in New Jersey

A group out of Princeton is suggesting some radical changes that will result in a revitalized NJN.
The report came out of the Sandra Starr Foundation, a small Princeton nonprofit. Among the recommendations:

Sell off some TV properties

Invest in New Media

Have WNYC run the radio properties

The report says NJN failed to invest in public radio in time because it is a PTV centric organization. The report also suggests the current organization is not prepared to manage the changes needed to launch new media or develop the public radio network. The report should generate plenty of heat and controversy.


A Future for Public Media in New Jersey: How to Create a New Basis for Public Radio, TV, and Online Media in One of American Journalism’s Worst Covered States

Classical Music in St. Louis

Late this Spring commercial classical station KFUO became Christian Contemporary. KFUO was the only full time classical music station in the market. KFUO promised to run classical music on their HD2 outlet after the format change. Since hardly anybody owns an HD set...hardly anybody is listening.  Late last week KWMU announced they were adding a few hours of classical music to their programming on Saturday night. That's not enough to satisfy the classical music fan.

Classical music has proven to be popular enough on public radio stations in St. Paul, New York, Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and a few other places to be self-sustaining. These stations primarily broadcast classical music and the fan base in these markets is large enough to support these stations. Is the market large enough in St. Louis? Is there enough demand. I'm guessing the answers are yes.

According to Arbitron the St. Louis metro market has 2,308,100 listeners six and older. If a public radio station were to broadcast classical music on a full time basis, a conservative estimate of the cume rating could easily be 6% or about 139,000 cume listeners a week. If about 10% of the audience were to become members, the station might expect member revenue to be about $1.4 million. It would not be unreasonable to expect underwriting revenue to be around $300,000. Add in a community service grant and some foundation money, the station could easily expect total station revenue of about $2,000,000.

Of course, all of this hinges on the availability of an adequate FM signal in the St. Louis market. And a lot would depend on the debt load created by purchasing an existing signal, but the projected revenue could easily cover the expenses of a classical music station in St. Louis.

I should note that the Lutheran owners of KFUO got a reported $26 million when they sold their station to Joy FM. KFUO(Now KLJY) has a huge signal of 100,000 watts. The antenna is is over 1,000 feet above the terrain which makes for a broadcast radius of about 60 miles. It's an appealing signal for KLJY

St. Louis Public Radio announces classical music schedule | St. Louis Globe-Democrat

St. Louis Public Radio announces classical music schedule | St. Louis Globe-Democrat

KWMU is adding three classical music programs to its Saturday night broadcasts.

This announcement comes after the sale of KFUO to a Christian broadcaster.

KFUO typically generated a share of about 2.0%. That ranked the classical music service 20th in the market. Their ranking may not have been appealing to advertisers, but the audience size may be big enough for a self-sustaining public radio station. If there is a frequency available in the St. Louis area, there's an opportunity to serve an unserved audience.

KQED Moves to Expand Local Coverage

KQED adds staff, radio and online news reports - San Francisco Business Times

KQED is adding staff and newscasts while increasing its web presence. In the last paragraph of the article it is noted that KQED just finished a week long furlough by staff to cut expenses. The expansion might not be fully funded. According to the article in the San Francisco Business Times "Officials hope to use enhanced philanthropic contributions and sponsorships to pay for the additional services."

Read more: KQED adds staff, radio and online news reports - San Francisco Business Times

KEIF-LP fined for underwriting infractions, and antenna and power issues

Radio Business Report/Television Business Report - Voice of the Broadcasting Industry

The article in RBR.com spells out what the FCC found to be violation of the guidelines of allowable underwriting.

Among the issues were the use of rate cards and language in the materials used to promote the spots aired by the station.

The credits aired by KEIF-LP may have been in violation of the guidelines. The ruling seems to reach beyond announcements aired by citing language used off air to promote the advantages of airing credits on KEIF. Is the FCC trying to regulate how public radio's development professionals recruit underwriters?  

Classical Music Still Feels at Home on Public Radio

Classical Music Still Feels at Home on Public Radio

Stations that have invested in classical music have seen positive results. In all cases gains seem to have been made by public radio stations that devote the entire day to classical music. This is especially good news for WNYC and WGBH. Both stations worked out deals for frequencies...WQXR and WCRB...devoted to the format.

According to Radio World:

“The increase can likely be attributed to several factors: an increase in the number of stations programming the format; … a steady decline of Classical music stations in the commercial band, driving more audience to public Classical stations; and the inheritance of some audience that public News/Talk had lost,” Arbitron stated. The format’s gender composition also has become more male, up to 49% from 45% four years ago; and though still skewing older, its age composition got younger over a year, with the sub-55 audience growing from 29% to 32%. "


AQH shares of tow or three percent for classical music on commercial stations may not have been enough to be sustainable, but on listener supported stations it might be a great starting point.

WOSU Makes a Bold Move Shift Signals

WWCD, WOSU shift signals

WOSU finally gets a news/talk service on the FM dial. In a deal with the owners of commercial station WWCD, WOSU will be able to broadcast classical music 24/7 at 101.1 FM in the Columbus area. The article in the Columbus Dispatch says WOSU will now simulcast the news from their AM station (820 AM). There are two significant factors.

• The highly educated NPR audience prefers the FM signal over the AM signal. WOSU should see sustained growth for its news and information service.
• The classical audience now has a dedicated service. This tactic is working well for WCRB in Boston and WQXR in New York.