KXTR, known as Radio Bach at 1660 AM in Kansas City is switching formats to an all talk business channel by next week. The switch does not completely eliminate classical music on the radio in KC, because KPR plays 6-8 hours of classical a day on their dual format station. But it does eliminate the majority of classical listening hours. KXTR has enjoyed a large audience, at times registering a 4-share despite being on an AM frequency and not being very good at raising money.
Bottom Line Communications reports that KXTR is donating its music library to KPR.
Radio Bach has already donated its musical playlist of 3,700 CD’s to Kansas Public Radio at the University of Kansas. “Kansas Public radio has seven stations and an HD station at KPR2 and they have a broad and modern platform,” says Dave Alpert, Vice President and General Manager of Entercom Kansas City. “We know classical music fans will be in good hands with Kansas Public Radio.”
It’s another erosion of the arts in Kansas, which continues to be the only state in the country with no arts commission. Kansas governor Sam Brownback last year showed his disrespect for the arts by eliminating $689,000 for the arts commission, money that went to support the arts large and small throughout the state.
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I wonder what will happen to the Classical music on KRBZ 96.5 HD2? No Mention was made of it in the news article. I would assume it goes away too since their 3,700 classical CD’s were given away so they would have nothing to play. I was enjoying listening to their online stream as I typed this until an opera came on but at least it did not last long. I do not like opera. The online stream will probably go away too although that does not matter because there is plenty of online classical music to listen to.
For people who live in the Kansas City area They can still still listen to KANU 91.5 for Classical music from 900 – 1500 & 1800 – 2100 monday- friday. Then they can tun over to KCUR 89.3 from 2100-0000 monday – thursday. Then Pipedreams from 2200-0000 on Sunday on KANU. That is not much classical music on the weekends. Maybe KCUR or KANU can put some classical music on an HD sub channel as well. I know most people do not have HD radios but if someone wants something bad enough they could buy one like I have. Almost all the radios I have bought I have got low cost close out deals online. I prefer do not listen to commercial stations which 96.5 hd 2 was but its bad to not have classical music on in the morning and afternoon drive times if I lived there.
http://www.bottomlinecom.com/radio-bach-replaced-with-kmbz-business-channel/ updated their story on 2/28/2012 with the answer to my question about what would happen to KRBZ 96.5 HD2 that played Classical Music:
UPDATE (2/28): 610 Sports will be moving to 96.5 HD2 ( from 98.1 HD2), and the Business Channel will be at 98.1HD2 so it’s next to KMBZ-FM.
Yet another reason to hate Sam Brownback…..Anyway what is with eliminating all of the classical stations but still running the same tired music on other stations? And what is with all of the business and political junk on these stations?? Nearly all stations broadcast this now and I cant believe that a classical station has more issues with ratings than replacing it with this? Who wants to listen to business and politics all day? Is that what people want to hear? Is that going to make the stations money?
Hello, Kansas City,
If your looking for a locally produced all classical FM here in the heartland, check out KVNO.org in Omaha, NE. We are just up the river and we have been a classical/fine arts station since 1972.