12 May 2006

  
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WBEZ to Eliminate All Music Programming


WBEZ general manager Torey Malatia has announced plans to eliminate all music programming on the station in favor of a new all talk news and cultural programming format. This means the elimination of Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland, Encanto Latina, Comin' Home, Afropop, Jazz with Dick Buckley, Blues before sunrise, and evening jazz programming. As a dedicated listener and member of WBEZ, I'm greatly saddened by this news. Earlier plans to have a sister station devoted to music programming have been scrapped. WBEZ offers a great and intelligent variety of music that is not represented anywhere else on the dial and reflects Chicago's cultural heritage. Anyone who has listened to Dick Buckley's programming over the last 30 years will recognize that he is a Chicago treasure. If you, like me, are disturbed by the news, you can sign a petition to urge a change in plans, or you can make your opinion known on the WBEZ forum, or better still, attend the upcoming public meeting at Columbia College this Thursday from 6:00-7:30 and voice your opinion.


 
 
mollusk to: media
Comments (7)
 
 

Comments

  

They can just fill the music slots with more of that distinctive Public Radio dead air.

This may mean an end to the Prairie Home Companion. Cross your fingers.

Gomez 15 May 2006

hostile commentary provided by a jackass...

anti-gomez 15 May 2006

Finally, something Gomez and I agree on . . . PHC is some lame-ass shit.

Don't get me started on the movie adaptation.

Carl 16 May 2006

Oops anti-gomez, you have a typo. It's not "a Jackass," it's "Ira Glass."

Gomez 16 May 2006

Personally, I like listening to A Prairie Home Companion, and think it's a great show, but that's not really what the post is about. Only the all-music programs are on the chopping block. PHC hasn't been listed as a part of the scheduled changes in the lineup.

The real tragedy I think is the loss of the quality jazz and international music. I'm happy to listen to college radio stations (when my radio can receive them) for an alternative to corporate music programming which is mostly the same few flavors: Classic Rock, Alternative/Mainstream, or smooth jazz, but for Chicago to lose such a great source of interesting music and world class DJ/programmers is a real shame, especially considering that Chicago is at least partly responsible for creating two great american artforms: jazz and blues.

mollusk 16 May 2006

Actually I heard that they were going to be moving the music to an HD radio broadcast that will run 24 hours a day, and the standard FM radio would carry the news and information shows 24 hours a day.

Seems like a nice solution to me.

Gil Burns 17 May 2006

Gil, They've since changed course on that decision. According to station manager Tory Malatia, that was the initial statement that was made, but is no longer what they are planning to do.

mollusk 23 May 2006

 
 
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