Movies

L.A.’s classical KUSC will merge programming with San Francisco sister station

BBG News

Announce to Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, the legendary composers, the upcoming change: The esteemed classical music broadcasting station of Los Angeles, known as KUSC, will soon be collaborating with its counterpart in San Francisco.

Beginning this summer, KUSC and the Bay Area’s KDFC will unify their programming and on-air teams. The two stations, owned by USC, will broadcast their content as a single stream of audio under the name Classical California, a moniker that has been part of their branding for the past three years.

Changing to the moniker “Classical California” implies that the radio stations will no longer utilize their local identifiers except during legally required hourly identifications. Since its establishment in 1947, KUSC has been known for classical music in Los Angeles. USC took over ownership of KDFC in 2011.

As a passionate movie buff speaking here, I’m excited to share that I, James Muhammad, President of Classical California, have revealed our plans for merger to the local newspaper. Rest assured, the talented announcers gracing airwaves on KUSC and KFDC will remain an integral part of our team, continuing their broadcasting journey from their studios nestled in downtown Los Angeles and San Francisco’s Civic Center.

Muhammad stated during an interview on Wednesday, ‘Our team boasts top-tier broadcasting professionals, and it’s our goal to make this exceptional talent accessible across our entire network.’

In a natural and easy-to-read manner: The main California stations, KUSC and KDFC, transmit their signals to smaller radio stations across the state. You can tune into KUSC’s broadcast in cities like Oxnard, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. Similarly, KDFC’s programming is available on stations in Ukiah, Monterey, Silicon Valley, and Napa Valley.

Muhammad explained that the merger isn’t primarily aimed at reducing costs, rather it’s about acquiring additional resources for growth and expansion.

He pointed out that in several operations, tasks are often repeated unnecessarily. By streamlining these procedures, we can save valuable time, which in turn allows us to offer more services and unique experiences to our generous contributors.

Similar to many radio stations, Classical California has employed online streaming channels on its website to offer specialized classical music programming that appeals to a younger demographic. The merger allows for the integration of both websites, resulting in a stronger, more comprehensive platform.

Muhammad thinks that the radio listeners will embrace the extra voices coming from different towns. Currently, a nightly program hosted by classical pianist Lara Downes is being played on both stations. Muhammad pointed out that during the recent wildfires in the L.A. area, KUSC relied on the staff of KDFC to keep broadcasting.

Music

In the 70’s and 80’s, Turner – affectionately called “The Burner” – was a highly popular DJ across the nation, broadcasting his shows on KMET-FM in Los Angeles and through nationally syndicated programming.

Radio broadcasters across various formats are actively reducing expenses due to a consistent shift in audience preferences towards podcasts and online streaming audio. However, Muhammad reported that KUSC and KDFC are financially sound, primarily because of substantial listener donations. Despite this, these stations did experience a decline in 2024.

According to their recent annual reports, KUSC and KDFC are covering their costs.

2024 saw KUSC generating a total income of $10.4 million, which comfortably covered their operational costs of $9.8 million. Meanwhile, KDFC earned approximately $7.3 million, with operating costs amounting to almost $7 million.

The government has provided each station with a million dollars, but this support might be at risk since the Trump administration is considering making spending reductions.

The combination of KUSC and KDFC comes as both stations have scored some of their highest ratings.

91.5 FM’s KUSC, broadcast in Los Angeles, garnered a 3.0 audience share in December as per Nielsen data. This means they reached approximately 472,000 listeners each week during that month, earning them the title of having the largest classical radio audience across the United States.

In the bustling city of San Francisco, KDFC managed to secure a 6.3 audience share, placing them third among all radio stations – a remarkable feat for a classical music station in such a significant market.

Classical radio stations, like KUSC, not only broadcast music but also function as bridges to renowned art institutions such as opera houses and symphony orchestras. They achieve this connection through collaborative partnerships and sponsorships. For instance, KUSC maintains a strong presence at events like the Los Angeles Times’ Festival of Books.

Previously, KUSC broadcasted live shows featuring LA Opera, Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, and even the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. For the past eight years, this station has been a proud sponsor of concerts held at the Hollywood Bowl.

Stations are a point of community pride for art enthusiasts, and one hurdle Classical California might encounter is persuading donors that their gifts to a single station won’t solely benefit their home town.

Muhammad stated that Classical California intends to argue that the upcoming adjustments will enable them to allocate additional resources towards serving their local communities better. In simpler terms, they aim to deepen their commitment by offering even more classical music services and engagement opportunities that resonate with their audience and benefactors.

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2025-02-13 02:01

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