A Classical Station is #3 in Phoenix?

[KilowattKat]

I think WFMT Chicago is the only commercial classical station left. The second-to-last, WRR Dallas, switched to listener-supported in 2023.

The only other commercial Classical station that I know of is...KLEF 98.1 Anchorage, AK.

 

[KeithE4]

I think WFMT Chicago is the only commercial classical station left.

Owned by PBS station WTTW Channel 11. Back in the '80s, WTTW ran limited commercials between programs, but I don't know if they're doing that now.

 

[fybush]

The only other commercial Classical station that I know of is...KLEF 98.1 Anchorage, AK.

Also WFCC 107.5 on Cape Cod and WCRI 95.9 Block Island RI.

 

[KilowattKat]

Technically, San Diego has one, but it's the same as in many other markets. KPBS-HD2 runs the Classical 24 service but nothing is programmed locally anymore there.

Its surprising that KPBS HD2 is a no show in the latest ratings. They always show up, although its usually under a .04 share.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Houston does have an HD Classical station that's lucky to pull a .4

KUHF HD-2, which runs Classical 24 for most of its schedule, consistently shows up in the monthlies. It even beat out the local FM sportstalker on many occasions, prior to that sportstalker dropping its ratings subscription last year.🤣🤣

 

[K6JHU]

Comes down to 'do you want to be 20% of 75% of the market' or 'do you want to be 100% of 5% of the market'

 

[ILOVERADIO]

We saw a similar situation in the first few months of the pandemic, when radio listening during drive time was way down. Keep in mind these ratings are SHARE of market numbers. So it's possible that classical listening has remained the same, while listening to other stations went down. If you look at the cume number on the right, it is much lower than other stations in the Top 5.

Phoenix

Nielsen Audio PPM Monthly Ratings Phoenix (Market #13) Population: 4,012,200 Black: 285,500 – Hispanic: 1,207,400 Average Quarter Hour Share for Persons 6+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid All ratings are Copyright © 2005-2024 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved. Nielsen radio audience estimates and data...

radioinsight.com

Great point I wouldn’t have noticed. I sometimes listen to hours of classical music to forget everything. Easier than meditating.

 

[ILOVERADIO]

Technically, San Diego has one, but it's the same as in many other markets. KPBS-HD2 runs the Classical 24 service but nothing is programmed locally anymore there.

Yes. HD classical stations rarely have a 6+ share of 1% or higher. HD is just not convenient for most people.

 

[sdwulfdawg]

It would be great if they could play *contemporary* classical - not just a limited selection of the same "de-composers" on constant rotation. MIT's WMBR has excellent contemporary classical coverage, for example. And WNCH, as CTListener points out. So, yes - it's a good station - but woefully inadequate for a town this size. Still, good news is good news and gift horse and all that.

What to you is "contemporary classical"?

 

[sdwulfdawg]

KDFC had a record 6.3 in the December survey, it was back down to a 5.4 in the subsequent Holiday survey.

KUSC Classical 91.5fm Los Angeles also has had some really good books of late.

 

[indieradioguy]

What to you is "contemporary classical"?

What, to me, is "contemporary classical"? Well, I have really been digging Beatrice Nicholas' 2024 release "Black and Classical" which features her renditions of Margaret Bonds. That's but one example. There is a wealth of ambient - "new age" - music that isn't "new age" at all but is clearly, to anyone with earwax-free ears untouched by tinnitus - is music played on piano, harp, flute... not synths, but traditional woodwind instruments that don't require amplification, Maybe some classical stations could re-claim all the contemporary classical that's hiding in plain sight in, quote unquote, "new age" formats?

 

[sdwulfdawg]

Owned by PBS station WTTW Channel 11. Back in the '80s, WTTW ran limited commercials between programs, but I don't know if they're doing that now.

All of the radio commercials on WFMT/Chicago are read by the on air hosts.

 

[davideduardo]

Yes. HD classical stations rarely have a 6+ share of 1% or higher. HD is just not convenient for most people.

I don't know of a classical HD-2 or beyond that does not have a translator that gets more than a few tenths of a share point. Are you familiar with any that do better than what I recall?

Calling Huff!

 

[Mediafrog+]

All of the radio commercials on WFMT/Chicago are read by the on air hosts.

I remember back in the 1980s the only recorded commercials on WFMT were political ads. The hosts would read a disclaimer that they were doing so in compliance with federal regulations.

 

[Huff]

I don't know of a classical HD-2 or beyond that does not have a translator that gets more than a few tenths of a share point. Are you familiar with any that do better than what I recall?

Calling Huff!

Here are the 5 classical HD-only stations that showed up in the November book in the 48 PPM markets:

 

[fybush]

Here are the 5 classical HD-only stations that showed up in the November book in the 48 PPM markets:
View attachment 8546

WFUN-2 feeds a decent translator on 107.3.

 

[DXingRadio]

How is the sound quality on KWMU HD3 to get that rating? A local NPR station carries Classical 24 on its HD3 and it sounds terrible.

 

[Mediafrog+]

How is the sound quality on KWMU HD3 to get that rating? A local NPR station carries Classical 24 on its HD3 and it sounds terrible.

KUHF HD-2 also carries Classical 24, and the audio quality is fine.

 

[johndavis]

KUHF HD-2 also carries Classical 24, and the audio quality is fine.

It comes down to how much bandwidth you give to the side channels. Since 88.7-1 is talk, they can afford to give HD-2 something decent to work with.

 

[ILOVERADIO]

Classical music can be enjoyed by a wide variety of people. But it needs to be presented in the right way. If you have a moment, go over to youtube and watch an Andre Rieu concert. Thousands of people having the time of their life. Not a single frown to be found.

It’s terrific entertainment. Lots of dancing, fun, and audience participation. But IMO it’s not classical music. 76 Trombones from the Music Man and other great showtunes are wonderful songs but different from Beethoven or Mozart. Perhaps excerpts of Ave Maria, The Magic Flute, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony could be featured with the same fun dancing and audience participation, but it’s a little trickier than with showtimes.

Thanks for exposing me and others to Andre R., a fun entertainer and musician.