Big news in the radio world: Bill Kling, the man who started American Public Media and who hired Garrison Keillor, is stepping down in June after 45 years at Minnesota Public Radio. Kling began a small regional station in Minnesota in 1967. From that he has created a media conglomerate that now employs 700 radio professionals broadcasting on 44 stations.
The Next Generation
A number of stations have been touting their outreach to the younger generation lately. Their efforts are a response to declining audience numbers overall for classical music. We all know the statistics: classical stations appeal mostly to the over-55 crowd, and the dearth of music education in the schools is not replenishing the pool of available listeners. Classical stations are a critical part of our infrastructure. I applaud them for making an effort to reach out. BUT… are they really cultivating a new generation of listeners? I have my doubts. I am a long-time professional … Continue Reading