Classical Losses, West and East – UPDATE

Update to my reporting on KDB.  From Tom Thomas of SRG (I’ve repeated this from the comments):

This report about Santa Barbara muddles an admittedly confusing story. There will continue to be full-time classical music on KDB. Classical KUSC is taking over the programming on KDB’s current frequency, 93.7. KCRW will take over the programming on KUSC’s current operation in Santa Barbara, which is at 88.7. Why the do-si-do? The Santa Barbara Foundation, which currently owns and operates KDB, wanted to preserve the classical heritage of the call sign and frequency and KUSC saw an opportunity to assume the legacy. KCRW, meanwhile, secures a much stronger signal in Santa.

The classical format is preserved and moves to noncommercial operation. The music choices for the community are diversified and strengthened. The Santa Barbara Foundation moves on to other areas of its mission. Sounds like mostly a win all the way around.

Thanks so much for setting the record straight, Tom.  I’m delighted to have been so wrong!!!

With the new info in mind, I’ve revised the following copy.

Today was a day for slippage of our classical format.  In Santa Barbara, classical station KDB is going to be purchased by KCRW, admittedly a great station but not classical.  From the LA Times:

Public radio station KCRW-FM (89.9), the Santa Monica-based NPR-affiliate, is acquiring Santa Barbara’s oldest radio station, classical broadcaster KDB-FM (93.7), for about $1 million to improve its reach to California’s Central Coast.

Starting in the spring, KCRW will air its programming on 88.7 for Santa Barbara listeners, bringing them national shows such as “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered” and “This American Life.”

So, it turns out this move won’t displace classical in Santa Barbara.  The classical music will be on 93.7, but will be programmed by KUSC (which is mostly programmed by Bill Lueth at KDFC in the Bay area).  I’m guessing this means layoffs of KDB classical staff.  Anyone want to comment on that??

And speaking of layoffs, our good friend Joe Goetz was a victim of some sort of shake-up at VPR (Vermont Public Radio) today.   You can read about it on the VPR blog.  The network is hiring a Managing Producer, and we will post that job description when it becomes available, but in the process Joe is being laid off.  Anybody need a dynamic, creative music producer/host?

While the search is ongoing, VPR plans to air Classical 24 from Minnesota Public Radio.