Maybe KDFC will leave Classical on its HD-2 if they drop it on 102.1?

[Madmansam]

While hoping Entercom will retain Classical for KDFC-102.1, Entercom does not have a good track record for Classical. In fact, they moved their Classical Station in Kansas City to the AM dial. My thoughts, If Entercom decides to drop Classical, Why not retain Classical for its HD-2? That way Classical can remain in san Francisco and HD Radios will get a boost in sales from Classical Music Lovers.

 

[automationasphyxiation]

As far as I can tell KDFC makes money. In which case, I would expect Entercom to keep the format in tact. If they make any initial moves, I would think they will do something with KMAX via a complete flip, or a different approach.

 

[Madmansam]

As far as I can tell KDFC makes money. In which case, I would expect Entercom to keep the format in tact. If they make any initial moves, I would think they will do something with KMAX via a complete flip, or a different approach.

You might be right, but there has been cases of profitable classical stations which had their format dumped regardless, such as the original KFSD-94.1 San Diego, The original KVOD-99.5 Denver, the original KBOQ-92.7 Marina-Monterey and more recently WGMS-104.1 Washington DC. A lot of the times, the format (and in some cases the calletters) are often transferred to lesser FM signals or to the AM dial and in the case of WGMS, are donated to a Noncommercial Non Profit Public Radio Station. KXLR in Kansas City did well, but when Entercom took over, they moved the classical programming to the AM dial. As for KDFC, when Brown Broadcasting sold the station (along with Smooth Jazz KKSF-103.7) to Evergreen Media, they spinned off KDFC to Bonneville, but Evergreen had strongly considered changing the format before selling it. My suggestion would be for Entercom to "DONATE" the frequency of 102.1, the calletters of KDFC AND the Classical Music collection to KQED. I would think that a Public Supported KDFC would do better than a commercial KDFC. It has worked great in Sacramento(with KXPR) and in Denver(with the new KVOD) and it'll probably work out with the new WGMS in Washington DC.

 

[content]

Interesting observations and thoughts.
However, I would say there is 0% chance Entercom donates KDFC's frequency to anyone. If they believe they can launch a more commercially viable format on that frequency, then they would likely donate the music library and 'intelectual property' to a public broadcasting facility. But, there is no way they are giving up the stick.

 

[Madmansam]

Interesting observations and thoughts.
However, I would say there is 0% chance Entercom donates KDFC's frequency to anyone. If they believe they can launch a more commercially viable format on that frequency, then they would likely donate the music library and 'intelectual property' to a public broadcasting facility. But, there is no way they are giving up the stick.

I have to agree with you regarding selling the frequency, but I agree with you on the likelihood that Entercom would donate the music library and 'intelectual property' (i.e. calletters). Probably to KQED or another public broadcasting facility.

 

[radioskeptic]

Entercom's history of dumping viable classical formats goes back to the Eighties in Houston, long before the company went public. See the thread, "Entercom takes over Bonneville's SF stations," post # 29 at the bottom of the third page of the thread: http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,60908.20.html

And don't pin your hopes for classical service on an "HD-2" service. IBOC has real problems with signal coverage! (See the "HD Radio" message board here on Radio-Info.com; it's one of the few places where there's been any frank public discussion of the serious shortcomings in iNiquity's digital radio technology.)

 

[radioskeptic]

Here's an article on how drastically things have changed for classical music on commercial FM: "When It Was Hard To Change A Classical Station" (http://www.infinitedial.com/2007/01/when_it_was_hard_to_change_a_c.php).

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Oh it's a sad day when there is discussion that the only classical music station in a sophisticated city like San Francisco may go away. I sure hope that is not the case. I think that other than the last book or so, they've been doing remarkably well. It's a shame if its hard to sell to the Joe Six Pack ad agencies. Is that true?

BTW: I don't see any viable Non Coms in the Bay Area picking up a fulltime Classical Music format. KQED is out of the question. I know there was talk about KALW doing it few years ago, but their signal is limited.

 

[content]

Let's remember this is just speculation. Entercom may have done this in other markets, but those markets may have had a gaping format hole. SF does not seem to have a lot of gaping holes, so Entercom may choose to leave well enough alone with KDFC and focus on creating an opportunity for KMAX to improve.

 

[Madmansam]

Oh it's a sad day when there is discussion that the only classical music station in a sophisticated city like San Francisco may go away. I sure hope that is not the case. I think that other than the last book or so, they've been doing remarkably well.

I hope not too, but I remember, when Philadelphia lost its Classical station (WFLN). To my knowledge they were doing pretty well too.