What's the latest on the station? Informal objections were filed with the FCC when the sale from Kilgore College to Educational Media was announced. Regular programming on 88.7 ceased at the end of August and now, after almost four months of 24/7 satellite classical music, the deal is still not final. When it finally happens it looks like the call letters are going to be KZLO.
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KTPB Kilgore still around...
- Thread starter jd
- Start date
jd said:What's the latest on the station? Informal objections were filed with the FCC when the sale from Kilgore College to Educational Media was announced. Regular programming on 88.7 ceased at the end of August and now, after almost four months of 24/7 satellite classical music, the deal is still not final. When it finally happens it looks like the call letters are going to be KZLO.
The college was expecting the deal to be finalized last month So far, nothing has happened. Considering that Christmas has passed, it is unlikely that anything will happen until after the first of the year. KTPB is running a satellite feed which I think originates from WFMT in Chicago. Ironically, they get quite a few calls complimenting them on the "wonderful new programming." I'll bet they have the highest ratings they've had in quite some time when the Fall Book, is released. Unfortunately, there is nothing local or live about it.
Several of my friends lost their jobs as a result of this sale. I wish everyone well, but I think quite a few people will feel a bit better when this episode is behind them.
Calls on "wonderful new programming"? That tells a story.
musicsweep said:Calls on "wonderful new programming"? That tells a story.
Sure does. Of course, right now it is 24/7 Classical Music. The people who love Classical Music have exactly what they want, at least for a while. Meanwhile, most Public Radio stations are abandoning music for NPR type talk. It seems the people who want all music all the time are seldom willing to help pay for it.
The same can be said for other music formats like Jazz, Adult Standards, Oldies, etc. In fact, referring to another thread, when KLJT was religious, I understand it had a huge following. Tons of people would show up at their events, and listeners called in all the time. But selling spots was another story. Nobody supported the station. That's why it flipped formats.
The truth is not enough people supported KTPB either. Plenty of people were willing to squawk about its demise, but not too many of them ever got their check books out. The same can be said for other niche formats as well.
Even non-profit radio stations need to be run in a business-like manner and have to keep their heads above water.
You nailed the problem, except that people were willing neither put up nor shut up about KPBT. As long as times were good and the audience was getting what it wanted everyone was happy. But when times got tight and Kilgore College found itself in the position of being financially unable to continue providing music for an audience that was as much in Tyler as anywhere, no one was willing to come across with any dollars to effect a viable alnernative. Even a SOAR group was formed but apparently in name only since nothing has been heard from or about it.
The protest against the sale of KPBT fizzled because protestors thought the sound of their voices would be sufficient to ward off the sale. It wasn't.
The protest against the sale of KPBT fizzled because protestors thought the sound of their voices would be sufficient to ward off the sale. It wasn't.
Here is an article from the Tyler Morning Telegraph on 2/2/07:
SALE OF KILGORE CLASSICAL MUSIC STATION KTPB FINALIZED
By: PATRICK BUTLER, Religion Editor
Despite a letter writing campaign to preserve the broadcasting of classical music in East Texas, the sale of classical music station KTPB 88.7 FM has been finalized by the Federal Communications Commission, a spokesman for Kilgore College said Friday.
The college is the licensee of 88.7 FM, and has broadcast classical music in East Texas for 16 years. The FCC ruling allows the not-for-profit frequency to pass from local control and be relicensed to Educational Media Foundation of California, which owns nearly 200 Christian radio stations nationwide. The move means that classical music on the radio will disappear in Tyler and nearby surrounding communities, unless listeners are able to pick up weak signals from Dallas or Louisiana stations. EMF will broadcast contemporary Christian music.
"Our attorneys have advised us the sale of KTPB has been completed," said Chris Moore, a public information coordinator with Kilgore College. "We're just glad the process has been completed. It's taken nearly a year to complete this transaction. It was difficult from the start, and was not an easy decision to make in the first place."
Kilgore College initially hoped the transfer to EMF would be completed Sept. 1, but Tyler's Save Our Arts Radio group sent "hundreds of letters" to the commission requesting the transfer of the frequency be denied, said Claudia Carroll a member of SOAR.
Moore said, "There were some large private member groups in the area that had some major concerns and did not want the radio station to sell. The FCC recognized that a significant number of KTPB listeners had filed objections to the application. I'm guessing their (input) to the FCC had something to do with the delay."
Ms. Carroll said, "The FCC left the possibility of a new low-power station in Kilgore designated for classical music, but who in Tyler can be excited and get behind that? We won't be able to get that signal here. Why would we support that?"
Kathy Housby, a former KTPB general manager, now works for the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association.
"I'm surprised by my emotions when I heard the news today," Ms. Housby said. "It's such a final step. It's going to be tough to turn the dial to 88.7 and not hear classical music anymore."
Executives from EMF headquarters in California were unavailable for comment Friday, said Carol Crenshaw, a company public information officer with EMF. Those executives were the only people authorized to speak about the sale.
"EMF broadcasting has purchased KTPB and hopes to begin broadcasting in mid-to late February. However, the exact broadcasting launch date is up in the air due to various issues," she said.
Since last year's letter-writing campaign, SOAR has become a registered nonprofit organization, said Ms. Carol.
"People can still join SOAR and help us," she said. "We are presently considering several different options, including a repeater station in Tyler from another major broadcaster."
SALE OF KILGORE CLASSICAL MUSIC STATION KTPB FINALIZED
By: PATRICK BUTLER, Religion Editor
Despite a letter writing campaign to preserve the broadcasting of classical music in East Texas, the sale of classical music station KTPB 88.7 FM has been finalized by the Federal Communications Commission, a spokesman for Kilgore College said Friday.
The college is the licensee of 88.7 FM, and has broadcast classical music in East Texas for 16 years. The FCC ruling allows the not-for-profit frequency to pass from local control and be relicensed to Educational Media Foundation of California, which owns nearly 200 Christian radio stations nationwide. The move means that classical music on the radio will disappear in Tyler and nearby surrounding communities, unless listeners are able to pick up weak signals from Dallas or Louisiana stations. EMF will broadcast contemporary Christian music.
"Our attorneys have advised us the sale of KTPB has been completed," said Chris Moore, a public information coordinator with Kilgore College. "We're just glad the process has been completed. It's taken nearly a year to complete this transaction. It was difficult from the start, and was not an easy decision to make in the first place."
Kilgore College initially hoped the transfer to EMF would be completed Sept. 1, but Tyler's Save Our Arts Radio group sent "hundreds of letters" to the commission requesting the transfer of the frequency be denied, said Claudia Carroll a member of SOAR.
Moore said, "There were some large private member groups in the area that had some major concerns and did not want the radio station to sell. The FCC recognized that a significant number of KTPB listeners had filed objections to the application. I'm guessing their (input) to the FCC had something to do with the delay."
Ms. Carroll said, "The FCC left the possibility of a new low-power station in Kilgore designated for classical music, but who in Tyler can be excited and get behind that? We won't be able to get that signal here. Why would we support that?"
Kathy Housby, a former KTPB general manager, now works for the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association.
"I'm surprised by my emotions when I heard the news today," Ms. Housby said. "It's such a final step. It's going to be tough to turn the dial to 88.7 and not hear classical music anymore."
Executives from EMF headquarters in California were unavailable for comment Friday, said Carol Crenshaw, a company public information officer with EMF. Those executives were the only people authorized to speak about the sale.
"EMF broadcasting has purchased KTPB and hopes to begin broadcasting in mid-to late February. However, the exact broadcasting launch date is up in the air due to various issues," she said.
Since last year's letter-writing campaign, SOAR has become a registered nonprofit organization, said Ms. Carol.
"People can still join SOAR and help us," she said. "We are presently considering several different options, including a repeater station in Tyler from another major broadcaster."
Ken123 said:Since last year's letter-writing campaign, SOAR has become a registered nonprofit organization, said Ms. Carol.
"People can still join SOAR and help us," she said. "We are presently considering several different options, including a repeater station in Tyler from another major broadcaster."
They'll have a hot time getting a translator in Tyler, unless they manage to buy an existing one or an existing CP.
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