KRCC LISTENERS ARE CONCERNED THAT CPR MAY CANCEL MUSIC PROGRAMS • WCAI IS THE TOP NEWS SOURCE ON CAPE COD

Now that the dust is beginning to settle following the announcement that Colorado College and Colorado Public Radio (CPR) have agreed to a partnership, some people are wondering if KRCC music shows will cancelled. 

To them, the new partnership is a mixed bag for local listeners.

On one hand, KRCC will be part of the largest, and many say the best, news organization in the state. On the other hand, CPR in Denver will be determining KRCC’s programming. Some people in the Springs wonder if the upcoming changes are worth the price Colorado College paid.

According to a report by Collin Estes in the Tuesday (1/28/20) edition of the Colorado Springs Independent [link], members of the staff of KRCC staff expressed shock when they heard the announcement. For most of the staff, the news was a complete surprise.

Kyle Cunningham

KRCC General Manager Kyle Cunningham told the Independent:

“Myself and the senior staff knew that this agreement was a possibility since about the summer of 2019. But it was not a done deal; it was [only] being considered.”

“I found out a couple weeks before the actual announcement that the target date was Friday the 17^th. But for many of our staff, [the announcement on the 17^th] was the first they had heard about it.”

Now some KRCC fans in the community and KRCC staff members are concerned about what will happen when CPR makes future changes to KRCC’s schedule. 

The fate of music programming is of particular concern.

Cunningham told the Independent that he has had no input in programming negotiations so far. CPR said that has immediate plans to change KRCC’s programming. But CPR has said their goal is bring KRCC’s schedule in alignment with CPR’s schedule.

One of the biggest concerns is KRCC’s music programming.  KRCC currently has several music shows on their schedule [link]. 

Locally originated Adult Alternative music airs weeknights from 8pm to Midnight. Weekly music programs on KRCC include local productions such as The Blue Plate Special, Vintage Voltage and The Reggie Show plus syndicated shows Live From Here and Sound Opinions.

The only music show on the CPR News schedule [link] is Sound Opinions. So, there is likely going be changes when the programming is aligned.

Estes described that the mood of KRCC’s staff following the surprise announcement, as “anxious but optimistic.” However, CPR’s ambiguity about eventual changes in KRCC’s schedule is a point of their concern.

Cunningham told the Independent that the best thing listeners can do is to be active and give feedback about changes:

“Music has been very important on KRCC’s airwaves, and we’re very proud of the product we’ve built at KRCC. As we go through this transition and some possible changes, [we are counting on] our members and listeners to give us feedback.”

NIELSEN AUDIO DIARY MARKET RATINGS: CAPE COD

There is no doubt it, WCAI is essential listening on Cape Cod.

To us, there is one station missing:Adult Alternative WMVY [link]. 

They don’t currently subscribe to the Nielsen ratings. but they are a terrific station with a significant number of listeners.

CPB IS LOOKING FOR A VP OF RADIO • POMPEO’S “NPR MOMENT” • FALL RATINGS FOR OKC, TULSA, TALLAHASSE & SOUTH BEND

CPB is currently looking for a Vice President, Radio. The person who is chosen will report directly to the Senior Vice President, Journalism and Radio. Kathy Merritt currently is in the job.

According to press release from CPB, the person who is chosen will help formulate a vision and develop strategies and plans to advance public radio’s service to the nation.

The VP, Radio will monitor trends in technology, business models, and content strategies by analyzing data about the reach and impact of public radio. CPB wants the VP, Radio to develop and use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure progress toward CPB’s strategic goals.

The job also has nuts-and-bolts duties such as periodic consultations with the management of stations regarding their Community Service Grant requirements.

Kathy Merritt

Sr VP, Journalism and Radio

KEN SAYS: This is an important hire for CPB. The organization has been at the forefront of advancing public radio journalism, building collaborations and supporting investigative reporting.

The person chosen for this job needs to be an excellent communicator internally and externally. At CPB, everybody needs to be in the loop. Also, expect plenty of travel and appearances at national and regional meetings. 

We have heard from people who have worked at CPB, that it is a good place to work. Keep in mind that many people with agendas watch CPB’s every move, Because of this; people at CPB know they work in fishbowl.

The job pays $120,000 to $140,000, depending on experience. Washington, DC is one of the nation’s most expensive areas to live in.

For more information, click here.

STEPHEN COLBERT EXPOSES TESTY MOMENT BETWEEN MIKE POMPEO AND NPR REPORTER MARY LOUISE KELLY

In case you missed it, on Tuesday night Steve Colbert spent several minutes lampooning the angry tirade Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made to NPR journalist Mary Louise Kelly. It appears around 6 minutes into the segment from the Late Show.

NIELSEN AUDIO FALL QUARTER RATINGS

Both NPR News stations serving Oklahoma City saw declines in their AQH share in Fall 2019 compared to Fall 2018. We will have a comprehensive look at the performance of NPR News stations in diary markets next week.

Classical KUCO now has a second station on the chart. They are now airing full-time Gospel music on their HD2 channel.

Up the turnpike in Tulsa both stations operated by KWGS had increased AQH shares compared with Fall 2018.

KOSU is still a minor factor in Tulsa.

NPR News/Talk WFSU in Tallahassee has had a serious drop in AQH share since Fall 2017.   

They dropped by 3.3 share points in the past two years. 

Classical WFSQ gained over a point since Fall 2018.

NPR News/Talk WVPE also saw their AQH share decline in South Bend. 

It is nice to see that Classical WAUS [link] is subscribing to Nielsen again. They are one of the best small market music stations in the U.S.

CHANGE IS COMING IN DELMARVA RADIO • IS NIELSEN MISSING SOME NEWS LISTENERS IN IOWA?

Delmarva is a peninsula that includes the state of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia. 

There is no “central city." What everyone has in common is the breeze from beach.

We have reported often about Delmarva Public Radio’s (DPR) struggles with financial shortfalls, questionable programming and conflicts between Salisbury University, the licensee, and DPR.

But change is on the way.

• WAMU’s Delmarva repeater station WRAU is being sold.

In October 2019 WAMU announced their intention to sell WRAU 88.3FM, a 50,000-watt signal that now simulcasts WAMU programming.  It puts a single into almost every inch of Delmarva.

WAMU is selling WRAU because of the costs of operation and a desire by WAMU to focus its resources on DC. 

Though there have been rumors of potential buyers, The station has not been sold.

Managers of other Delmarva noncom station are waiting to learn whether WRAU will continue as a NPR News/Talk station, or will it become a Christian Contemporary Music stations.

WRAU matters because, according to the Fall Nielsen ratings, it is the top noncommercial station in the market. The other stations air NPR News part-time.

The two DPR stations and WESM are still discussing a possible “collaboration”

Gerry Weston, GM of WESM, has been in contact with leaders at DPR about a cost-haring partnership and focused formats on the three stations.

Weston confirmed that discussions are still ongoing between the parties. Weston said the pace of the decision-making is slow.

• WHYY terminated the lease of DPR’s WSCL with 60-days notice

DPR was forced to relocate the antenna of WSCL 89.5. The antenna had been on a tower owned by WHYY to relay TV signals. A complete report by DPR is available here.

DPR allegedly was told about the change in a letter from WHYY. The “terms” were: Take your antenna off our tower within 60-days, or, pay a much higher rent.

KEN SAYS: This is a most unusual story. 

If true, the actions that are described are not part of public media’s core values.

FALL NIELSEN RATINGS: QUAD CITIES, OMAHA & ANCHORAGE

In the Fall 2019 Nielsen ratings, they reported that listening to stations with the NPR News  format is declining.   

Perhaps this is true. 

Or, maybe is there is a problem with their sample size?

We couldn’t find enough data to report on Fall 2019.

In Omaha and the Bluffs, The River [link] keeps rocking in the free world.  

The River sounds best when driving on a two lane road, 40 miles north of Omaha on a two-lane highway .

It is time to the roll down the windows and listen to Bruce Springstrin sing Thunder Road on
The River.

In Anchorage we listed KLEF [link] to say hi to the folks at Your Concert Hall,

KLEF has ties to public radio.

They have operated as both a noncom and commercial station.

FINDING A WAY TO MAKE HD RADIO WORK • FALL NIELSEN RATINGS FOR ROANOKE, TUCSON & BOISE

Last Friday [link] we called HD Radio a lemon and that created a stir. 

We received around 20 comments. Some folks agreed with us, others disagreed. A few told us they were sick of talking about HD Radio because it is so out of fashion.

CPB did the right thing when they supported digital conversion. It isn't CPB's fault that HD Radio has been such a turkey,

We have contacted CPB for more details about how $60 million dollars was spent to convert 680 public radio transmitters to HD Radio. The results are meager. 

Very, very few people listen to HD Radio. Stations. Those who took CPB’s money are on the hook for the cost of programming and operating the HD channels.

Three of people who offered suggestions for stations trying to monetize their HD lemons. We call it turning lemons into lemonade.

Today we are focusing on an option that might be available in your area: Rebroadcast an HD channel on a FM translator, where the listeners are.

Cleve Callison

Cleve Callison, former GM at WHQR in Wilmington, North Carolina,

posted a message on PubRadio that described the new station:

From: Cleve Callison

Fri 1/24/2020 12:44 PM

At WHQR in Wilmington, NC, HD had languished for several years. In 2014, we launched Classical HQR on HD2, and that allowed us to simulcast 24-hour classical on a 250w translator.

We later added 2 other classical translators in more distant communities, and at my retirement I was working on getting a 4th going, which is now on the air.

So not only did we fulfill the dreams of the founders of our station in the early 80’s, we were able to make our primary signal a news & information service.

This was a win-win-win. The combined translators’ footprints came nowhere near that of the primary, but together they were enough that when listeners were asked during fund drives which service they listened to, about 20% said “Both”. Enabled by a terrific staff, fundraising support has been going way up since 2014.

In short, HD has been very, very good to WHQR.

WHQR [link] now serves the Wilmington area with two 24/7 program channels: HQR News at 91.3 FM and Classical HQR at 92.7 FM.

WWNO in New Orleans has also established a full-time Classical music station on an FM translator at 104.7 FM.

MAYBE CPB CAN HELP

Admit that HD Radio, in most cases, hasn't worked out. Show empathy for the stations that are subsidizing their HD Radio channels. Organize  opportunities to share best practices, Establish an HD Radio renewal fund to plan for the future of Digital Radio.

Kurt Wilson

Kurt Wilson is the new Station Manager

Kurt Wilson joined WHQR from Yellowstone Public Radio in Billings, Montana where he was General Manager. 

Wilson also spent 15 years at Central Michigan Public Broadcasting in Mt Pleasant, Michigan.

MORE NIELSEN FALL QUARTER RATINGS

WVTF in Roanoke is similar to WCVE in Richmond in many ways. 

Both are now full-time NPR News/Talk stations.

WVTF and WCVE are both the number one radio news source in their markets.

In 2018, both stations changed their programming from a dual format of NPR News and Classical music to 24/7 news spoken word.

Both acquired new FM frequencies for full-time Classical music stations. But, both stations have had different results with their music station. WCVE Classical is on two FM frequencies. In the November 2019 ratings WCVE Classical had a 1.2% AQH share. WVTF Classical had a 0.4% AQH share.

KUAZ in Tucson keeps rolling along in fine style. 

They have a great team and a real sense of purpose. 

Classical KUAT is a steady performer.

Screenshot of KXCI’s landing page

We keep KXCI [link] on the ratings chart because it is a truly great community radio station.

They are an Alt-rock-leaning Triple A station. The on-air sound is sophisticated music format.  They ooze hometown pride.

KXCI’s streaming audio is required listening here in Minnesota on cold January days.

You’ve got to love the way Boise State Public Radio’s two program streams dominate listening in this growing city.

KBSX’s rise from a 3.8% AQH share to 5.6%. 

This reminds us of the Boise State Broncos, they are capable of winning any place, any time.         

“EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST” IN SERVING ON THE D/I COMMITTEE • FALL RATINGS FOR LEXINGTON, HONOLULU & MADISON

Mike Freedman, Manager of Communications

and Outreach for NPR Distribution

NPR is looking for a new member of the Distribution/Interconnection (“D/I”) Committee to replace Sally Kane, CEO of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB). 

Kane will be leaving the D/I because members can’t serve more than two three-year terms. Kane has served two terms.

The D/I Committee oversees public radio’s interconnection service  between program producers and public radio stations. 

There are eight people on the D/I Committee. Four are from NPR member-stations and are members of the NPR Board. 

The other four members come from outside of NPR and are not NPR Board.

The Public Radio Satellite System has

downlinks in all 50 states

Members of the NPR Board who are on the D/I committee are: LaFontaine Oliver, GM of WMFE, Orlando (D/I Committee Chair); Jay Pearce, CEO & General Manager of WVIK in the Quad Cities; Joe O’Connor, President & General Manager of WFAE in Charlotte; and, Mike Savage, GM of WEKU, Lexington.

Non NPR Board members on the D/I Committee are: Josh Kubasta, Managing Director, Broadcast Production & Operations at Minnesota Public Radio; Loretta Rucker, Executive Director of the African-American Public Radio Consortium; Victoria St. John, Director of Operations at Vermont Public Radio; and, Sally Kane, who is leaving the Committee in November 2020.

The makeup of the D/I Committee is important because it oversees the work of the Public Radio Satellite Service (PRSS), Content Depot and establishes  rates and policies for NPR’s Distribution services. 

Members of the Committee who are not on the NPR Board play a crucial role in the Committee’s work representing producers and organizations outside of NPR.

The D/I Committee usually meets four times a year, concurrent with NPR Board meetings, in February, May, September, and November.

Someone who is associated with independent producers or organizations other than NPR has traditionally filled the open spot on the D/I committee.

People who are interested in serving on the D/I Committee should submit a letter stating the reasons why they are interested and a resume by Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

For more information contact Maryfran Tyler, Senior Director, Enterprise, Strategy & Planning, NPR Distribution, at 202-513-2675 or mtyler@npr.org or Twanna Clark at (202) 513-2058 or tclark1@npr.org.

NIELSEN AUDIO FALL RATINGS FOR NONCOM STATIONS IN DIARY-METHODOLOGY MARKETS

Speaking of WEKU in Lexington, according to the Fall 2019 ratings they now have twice the metro AQH share as WUKY.   

Expect this trend to continue. WEKU recently dropped blocks of Classical music and now is a full-time NPR News/Talk station.

Hawaii Public Radio has two discreet program services: HPR News and HPR Classical. Programming originates in Honolulu and is heard on repeater stations and translators on the islands. Both increased their AQH share compared to Fall 2018.

The two programming channels operated by Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) dominate radio listening in Madison. WERN has a dual format of NPR news magazine and Classical music. WHA a/k/a The Ideas Station, has a unique spoken word schedule. Though WHA and its repeaters offer news and talk, they do not air NPR news magazines.

There are three other stations that have significant listening but do not subscribe to the Nielsen ratings: WORT, a legendary community station; student station WSUM; and, perhaps the best LPFM station in the nation, WVMO.