[Dixielandjazz] WBEZ Scrapping Music

[Stan Brager]

I just got the following emails.

Stan
...........................................................................
>> Subject: WBEZ-CHICAGO PLANS TO PHASE OUT MUSIC
>> Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2006 22:55:29 +0000
>>> Hello Music Colleagues,
>>>
>>> WBEZ Chicago Public Radio announced earlier this week that they are
>>> planning to phase out jazz and all music programming by the end of this
year.
>>> They were planning to launch a second frequency for music, and have
>>> one talk and one music station.  Those plans have been scratched in
>>> favor of two talk stations.
>>>
>>> Chris Heim has been let go and the Music Director position has been
>>> eliminated. In the meantime, three full-time jazz hosts, and a couple
>>> part-time specialty music hosts remain employed.  Please continue to
>>> send your releases because we are still not 100% sure that this plan is
>>> written in stone.  More importantly, we still need to program the most
>>> creative and compelling music programs possible, and have been
encouraged by
>>> administration to do just that.  So, now more than ever, we need and
>>> greatly appreciate your support.



>>> FROM THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES:
>>> All that jazz gives way to all public affairs
>>> April 6, 2006
>>> BY LESLIE BALDACCI Staff Reporter
>>>
>>> Chicago public radio station WBEZ-FM (91.5) is eliminating music
>>> programming next year when its signal strength increases nearly tenfold
and it
>>> switches to an all-public affairs format, the station's staff was told
>>> Wednesday.
>>>
>>> Gone will be the jazz programs that now run Monday through Thursday
>>> from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., Friday night's world music lineup and Sunday
>>> afternoon's jazz programming.
>>>
>>> As first reported by Sun-Times media columnist Rob Feder, Chicago
>>> Public Radio has been planning to broadcast two full-time programming
>>> services on separate frequencies. The move became possible with the
acquisition
>>> of WBEW-FM (91.5) in Chesterton, Ind., and WBEQ-FM (90.7) in southwest
>>> suburban Morris.
>>>
>>> The station had considered moving music to the second station, but
>>> they are taking the riskier step of doing public affairs on those two
>>> stations as well, said Daniel Ash, the station's vice president of
strategic
>>> communication.
>>>
>>> "The WBEW and WBEQ signals will be rooted in public affairs, with the
>>> sensibility of attracting a more diverse and a bit younger
>>> audience," Ash
>>> said.
>>>
>>> He said WBEZ's music programs, about a third of the station's
>>> schedule, have "a small but loyal audience."
>>>
>>> About two-thirds of the station's schedule already is news, talk,
>>> arts, culture and National Public Radio programs.
>>>
>>> In coming weeks, the station will form creative teams to address new
>>> programming, Ash said.