WNED

[Radio-Bored-Op]

I know,
WNED is not going away.
It won't ever be sold, anytime in the near future, however .... what would actually happen if no one donated.

if prevailing responses were:

1. I can just go on ..., and hear it online.
( stream, YouTube, etc ) for free.

2. Why would (my) younger generation care about the music ?
not that I am young _ but my peers wouldn't donate either. In fact,
I am unaware of anyone who donates on a regular basis.

 

[tbolt909]

I know,
WNED is not going away.
It won't ever be sold, anytime in the near future, however .... what would actually happen if no one donated.

if prevailing responses were:

1. I can just go on ..., and hear it online.
( stream, YouTube, etc ) for free.

2. Why would (my) younger generation care about the music ?
not that I am young _ but my peers wouldn't donate either. In fact,
I am unaware of anyone who donates on a regular basis.

You are aware that WNED and WBFO are under the Buffalo Toronto Public Media umbrella. They also own the PBS TV affiliate. Members (Donors) come from both TV and Radio.
Classical music has been around a long time just like Shakespeare. Why should schools bother teaching History or Literature? Nobody cares about stuff like that, Right?

Not sure what your point is. I suppose they could just unplug and go home...

 

[PTBoardOp93]

If literally no one donated to WNED, it would go away. Whether that would be a different format, a sale, or something else is impossible to say.

The executives of Buffalo-Toronto Public Media might subsidize it for a while, but not forever.

 

[RadioGuy1864]

WNED is on a commercial frequency, so it could be sold to a commercial operator. In the USA, everything is for sale at the right price.

 

[SirRoxalot]

I suspect that the average donor to WNED-FM is higher than even the average age of people on this board, and so is their income. They value the music and donate significant amounts of money. Classical concerts at Kleinhans often sell out, especially when noted performers come in for a concert. A lot of young musicians become familiar with, and appreciate, classical music when they're introduced to it while learning instruments. One of the issues is that music programs in schools have often been sacrificed due to other budget priorities, particularly in urban schools. The BPO does a lot of outreach to schools to play and discuss music with young people. Perhaps if you attended one of the more friendly BPO programs you might get a better feel for the music and for the audience it attracts. It ain't all about you and your Phillistine friends.

 

[tbolt909]

Buffalo also has Shakespeare in Delaware Park in the Summer. Stratford Ontario and other cities like Ashland Oregon have performances that keep the Arts alive. The Great Unwashed may not appreciate it, but many still do. I doubt that WNED will be disappearing anytime soon...

 

[TheBigA]

It won't ever be sold, anytime in the near future, however .... what would actually happen if no one donated.

If you look at public radio nationally, a lot of classical stations have flipped to all news. That was the case in NYC, where New York Public Radio flipped WNYC (which, like WNED, is in the commercial band) to news/talk, and bought WQXR, the commercial classical station. In Buffalo, they did the opposite, keeping classical on WNED, and buying WBFO from UB.

Public broadcasting is less organized around Nielsen ratings than commercial stations. They use the demographic information to help target their fundraising. But the non-profit nature of these stations also allows them to set up endowments and other long-term funding methods that can help them weather the financial storms. These stations see themselves more as cultural institutions, similar to museums and symphonies, rather than businesses built on advertising. So the fact that WNED is getting a 2 share is less of a factor for them.

In answer to your question, looking at other public stations, what has happened to classical stations that no longer attract donations is they flip to a form of AAA. That happened in Nashville a few years ago. The new format is actually getting lower ratings than it did as a classical station. But perhaps it attracts more donations. Similarly, if such a thing happened in Buffalo, they have The Bridge that could be moved to this frequency.

 

[davideduardo]

Buffalo also has Shakespeare in Delaware Park in the Summer. Stratford Ontario and other cities like Ashland Oregon have performances that keep the Arts alive. The Great Unwashed may not appreciate it, but many still do. I doubt that WNED will be disappearing anytime soon...

The reason why most of the working class does not go to classical music concerts is the same as it was when that music was "current" at the time of its composition: most people have neither the time nor money to support the arts.

Calling them "The Great Unwashed" is even below the standards of your contrarian posts.

(Sidebar: I'm fond of "Swan Lake" and have seen it performed from Cleveland to Buenos Aires to Europe. I love the differences that each conductor and master of the dance lend to the work. But the last time I had a chance to attend, decent tickets for two would have been over $600 along with the involuntary "valet" $30 parking and the $25 cup of wine at intermission. It just was out of my class)

 

[TheBigA]

The reason why most of the working class does not go to classical music concerts is the same as it was when that music was "current" at the time of its composition: most people have neither the time nor money to support the arts.

If you saw the movie Amadeus, Mozart composed his music for rich benefactors, who then paid him and the orchestra to perform in concert halls. At the time, the main floor of these places had no seats, and the lower class serfs and workers attended for free, and stood for the show, sort of like general admission. There are similar things today. The National Symphony in Washington does a number of free outdoor shows, including several holiday shows on the lawn of the Capitol, broadcast live on PBS.

 

[tbolt909]

The reason why most of the working class does not go to classical music concerts is the same as it was when that music was "current" at the time of its composition: most people have neither the time nor money to support the arts.

Calling them "The Great Unwashed" is even below the standards of your contrarian posts.

(Sidebar: I'm fond of "Swan Lake" and have seen it performed from Cleveland to Buenos Aires to Europe. I love the differences that each conductor and master of the dance lend to the work. But the last time I had a chance to attend, decent tickets for two would have been over $600 along with the involuntary "valet" $30 parking and the $25 cup of wine at intermission. It just was out of my class)

Many cities offer Summer performances in parks that are free. Anyone can attend. They may ask the audience for donations but it is voluntary...

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

You are aware that WNED and WBFO are under the Buffalo Toronto Public Media umbrella. They also own the PBS TV affiliate. Members (Donors) come from both TV and Radio.
Classical music has been around a long time just like Shakespeare. Why should schools bother teaching History or Literature? Nobody cares about stuff like that, Right?

Not sure what your point is. I suppose they could just unplug and go home...

I am not aware that
....... under the same umbrella ,
so to your first inquiry,
when things become too expensive no matter how important, it sometimes isn't viable to continue.
and if donors stopped bringing in revenue,
it might sound odd hearing a tim Hortons spot in between concertos.

and schools have reduced things in their circu... classes, such as spelling and cursive; must because it is taught,
ain't meaning it's learned.

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

Thank you all for the responses....
unlike an old time AM station,

my mind never powers down.

 

[TheBigA]

it might sound odd hearing a tim Hortons spot in between concertos.

WFMT Chicago is a commercial classical station, owned by the PBS TV station. They have a policy of only accepting live host reads for their commercials, and they don't interrupt a specific work with a commercial. They run it as a separate profit-making company.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

It’s more than just individual contributions. The NPR station where I live has sponsor mentions they use all the time.

In the case of WNED’s Classical programing it could be seen by corporate sponsors as a service to the community. I’m sure WNED-TV-FM-WBFO has an outreach program for tax deductible corporate funding from both the US and Canada.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

It’s more than just individual contributions. The NPR station where I live has sponsor mentions they use all the time.

I recall back when Mitt Romney was running for President (and lost) One of his main areas of cuts mentioned was to stop funding PBS. Therefore, PBS DOES get some government funding. He even wanted to have commercials air during Sesame Street!

Mitt Romney Claims He’ll Cut Off Funding for PBS, Says He Wants Advertisements on ‘Sesame Street’ (Video)

“We’re not going to kill Big Bird,” the GOP presidential candidate told supporters in Iowa, who also added that he’ll “stop certain programs.”

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Mike Sheridan]

The reason why most of the working class does not go to classical music concerts is the same as it was when that music was "current" at the time of its composition: most people have neither the time nor money to support the arts.

Calling them "The Great Unwashed" is even below the standards of your contrarian posts.

(Sidebar: I'm fond of "Swan Lake" and have seen it performed from Cleveland to Buenos Aires to Europe. I love the differences that each conductor and master of the dance lend to the work. But the last time I had a chance to attend, decent tickets for two would have been over $600 along with the involuntary "valet" $30 parking and the $25 cup of wine at intermission. It just was out of my class)

David here in market 25 the local symphony has no trouble filling a large area with their “
Pops in the Park” concerts week after week. With a small donation people can bring lounge chairs or spread out blankets enjoying the music and the outdoors.. it’s quite an event and goes every weekend through the summer. A mix Of people of all ages. Admittedly the symphony lures people in with movie themes from Star Wars, Star Trek and Superman. It works!

 

[Mike Sheridan]

These stations be it WBFO or WNED can air business mentions which are almost commercials. The man thing is the may not solicit a call to action.

 

[davideduardo]

David here in market 25 the local symphony has no trouble filling a large area with their “
Pops in the Park” concerts week after week. With a small donation people can bring lounge chairs or spread out blankets enjoying the music and the outdoors.. it’s quite an event and goes every weekend through the summer. A mix Of people of all ages. Admittedly the symphony lures people in with movie themes from Star Wars, Star Trek and Superman. It works!

That's a good--- and valid--- point. But whenever a poster here compares "sold out concerts" with audience potential, I do have to mention that the cume of even a market's #10 station is generally many, many times the capacity of a concert venue.

The Buffalo population per Nielsen is just under 1.1 million. What percentage go to those park concerts? What percentage does a station in that market cume?

 

[Mike Sheridan]

That's a good--- and valid--- point. But whenever a poster here compares "sold out concerts" with audience potential, I do have to mention that the cume of even a market's #10 station is generally many, many times the capacity of a concert venue.

The Buffalo population per Nielsen is just under 1.1 million. What percentage go to those park concerts? What percentage does a station in that market cume?

Granted But it is a seed that may spark interest in the music.
Businesses often support pubic radio not because of ratings points but to show community support . Good public stations know how to tap into that.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

That's a good--- and valid--- point. But whenever a poster here compares "sold out concerts" with audience potential, I do have to mention that the cume of even a market's #10 station is generally many, many times the capacity of a concert venue.

The Buffalo population per Nielsen is just under 1.1 million. What percentage go to those park concerts? What percentage does a station in that market cume?

I like this question because in some way it brings to the fore an essential issue. A station like WNED-FM 94.5 can have a very small share and rating (as David has explained the difference between share and rating ... and cume) and still generate membership and revenue. In WNED-FM's case, the listener base is fervently dedicated and frankly, quite wealthy... far wealthier than the listener base of say, 97 Rock or WECK ... and they're willing to write a check. These listeners believe in the radio station and support it. Moreover, in many cases, they bequeath money to maintain support after they've passed away. That in itself is quite a testimony to the power of the radio station. Now ... will that support continue for generations? Probably not. But as long as we're here, posting on this board, WNED-FM and Classical music are alive and sustaining.