3 Classical Stations Bankrupt in Maine

Three of Maine’s classical stations are victims of the bankruptcy of Nassau Broadcasting.  The three are WBQW 104.7 in Southern Maine, WBQX 106.9 in midcoast, and WBQI 107.7 in Down East Maine.

You can read more at the Bangor Daily News:

The various radio broadcast licenses, radio tower leases, intellectual property and other businesses assets are being sold off to the highest bidders. The Delaware bankruptcy court is accepting bids until May 1, with the auction set to start on May 8…

Mark Vogelzang, president and CEO of Maine Public Broadcasting Network, said his organization has followed the proceedings “very closely,” with a particular eye on the WBACH properties.

“We have no intention of making a bid — this is serious money,” said Vogelzang. “But if we could play a role, we’d be very interested in saving classical music in Maine. How we might do that, I don’t know.”…

“WBACH is an important classical outlet, and because it is such a key partner with many of Maine’s cultural organizations, it really plays an important role — just like MPBN does — in the cultural life of Maine,” said Vogelzang, “so we think that it would be very important not to lose classical music on the radio dial.”

The bankers will own the properties and the broadcast licenses.  They will probably lease the stations out until a buyer is found.   Nassau owned 7 other stations in Maine and 40 more on the east coast.

Part of the reason Maine Public Broadcasting can’t consider buying any of the stations is that Maine’s ultra-right wing Governor recently made a power play to try to shut down public broadcasting.   Governor Paul LePage tried to cut $1.7 million from the broadcaster’s budget, but the Legislature stopped him and is working on a fee-for-service compromise.