A roundup of fiscal woes

Yet again, much of this roundup of happenings in the world of classical (and jazz) radio relates to money — or a lack thereof.

:: The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. announced this week that it will cut 800 jobs to offset a $171 million budget shortfall. And it could cut even more jobs if the Canadian government rejects a CBC plan to sell $125 million in assets. The CBC’s television arm, which makes up 83 percent of the network’s budget for English-language programming, will see proportionally more cuts, but radio will also take its share. “Repeats will become more frequent to fill the void,” reports the Toronto Globe and Mail.

:: Budget cuts at WQED in Pittsburgh have prompted President George Miles to take a salary reduction and enact other cost-saving measures, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. But layoffs may still be required, Miles says. “I worry about next year — 2010 is going to be a bigger challenge if we don’t figure out a new way of doing business. … We’re out hustling everywhere we can hustle,” he told the paper.

:: Colorado Public Radio is also feeling the pain and is responding by stepping up fundraising efforts. Individual giving to the station in particular has dropped. More details from Denver Westword. Meanwhile, bond-rating firms downgraded their rating of bonds used by the network to move to new frequencies in the Denver area, reports Current.

:: And a public all-jazz station in Portland, Ore., may get a new lease on life by being absorbed into Oregon Public Broadcasting, the state’s major public radio and TV network. The license of KMHD belongs to Mount Hood Community College, which is looking to cut costs as it stands to lose $4 million in state funding next fiscal year. OPB would take over operation of the station, while the college would retain the license and get on-air sponsorship credits on OPB and KMHD. Read more on KMHD’s website.