Oklahoma station cuts back on classical; Canadian MP sticks up for CBC Orchestra

KOSU in Stillwater, Okla., joins the ranks of stations cutting back on classical in favor of more news and talk programming. My guess is that they dumped the dual format, but I’m not sure (the most recent incarnation of their previous schedule that I could dig up dates to almost a year ago). Their website calls the station “the New KOSU.”

This article in the local Journal Record includes background from the station’s new general manager, who mentions a survey the station conducted that helped inform the decision. (Use Bugmenot.com to skirt the registration prompt.) The survey involved input from 500 listeners. Compare that to the station’s weekly audience of 24,400 listeners as of Fall 2007, according to the Radio Research Consortium. That’s about 2 percent. KOSU also cites other factors such as public forums and an advisory board’s input.

I don’t quibble with the decision — KOSU’s surely not alone among public broadcasters cutting back on classical. But other stations have supported format changes by citing such indicators as Arbitron data and listening patterns throughout dayparts, which to my thinking make a stronger case by appealing to statistical samplings and wide-net research rather than more subjective criteria. Or is it all the same to the listening public?

Some news in the CBC spat: today a Liberal member of the Canadian Parliament plans to ask the government to maintain the CBC Radio Orchestra (via straight.com). But will this generate any momentum?