Classical Radio on the ropes.....

[Ron Bello]

What this discussion ignores is the legacy of the founding family of 
KING Broadcastring.
They gave the station to the community.  3 TVs were sold to Belo Corp. while
3 AMs and 2 FMs were sold to others.  WCRB 102.5 was not given away.

This link has a paragraph about the family who gave away so much to 
the community:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/EscapeTheRatRace/millionaires-who-gave-it-away.aspx?GT1=33013



At 07:02 PM 3/24/2010, Dave Tomm wrote:
>I don't think they're necessarily in trouble.  It's just that there
>are very few commercial classical stations left.  The classical
>audience, whether they're listening locally or to an internet station,
>has now been conditioned to expect commercial free programming.  KING
>is simply adjusting to this reality, and wants to stay competitive
>with other classical music providers, particularly in regards to the
>internet.  They have enough of a following in their area that they can
>probably bring in as much revenue, if not more, by using the
>underwriting/donation model as opposed to selling commercials at this
>point.  It sounds to me like a good long term decision.
>
>It's slightly different from the WCRB situation, when they were bought
>out by a non-comm broadcast entity.  I suppose WGBH could have run
>that station as a commercial operation if they wished, but I think the
>move to non-comm status was for the same reasons KING is doing it.
>
>-Dave Tomm
>
>
>On Mar 24, 2010, at 4:21 PM, Don wrote:
>
>>
>>There is a BRI list member who constantly touts KING in Seattle as
>>an example of a well run classical station.
>>
>>Now it appears that KING is in trouble as well, and has to change
>>their business model.
>>
>>Classical KING FM to become listener supported
>>
>>http://www.king.org/pages/6544931.php
>>
>>""This is the next logical step in our evolution as a great
>>classical station," said Bayley."   "KING's founder Dorothy Bullitt
>>built a legacy of great classical programming and innovation at KING
>>FM.
>>
>>"That vision worked well for a time, but the handwriting is on the
>>wall," Bayley said. "With all the changes in media in the United
>>States, commercial advertising is no longer a fit for KING."
>>
>>I guess we are lucky to have WCRB alive and on the air in any form!