KUSF Is MIA

[DToTheJ]

And its website is blank, save for one sentence:
"Please check back soon for an important annoucement regarding KUSF."

Can hardly wait for the big "annoucement."

[BroadcasterX]

Here's the update:

KUSF Moves to Online Only Format 01-18-2011

The University of San Francisco (USF) announced today that KUSF, the university’s radio station, is moving to an online only format, effective immediately. The university has reached an agreement to assign the FCC license for radio frequency 90.3 FM to Classical Public Radio Network, which is launching a non-commercial classical music station in the Bay Area. CPRN is owned by University of Southern California.

The call letters KUSF were not sold, and the KUSF logo and all music inventory will remain USF property. All KUSF staff will be offered similar positions at KUSF.org.

The move to online-only distribution gives KUSF a powerful opportunity to grow its worldwide audience. Previously, the station was limited to 100 online listeners at a time, but capacity will be increased to accommodate thousands of listeners.

The station will go dark briefly for necessary engineering work. It is possible the electrical work could take several days.

As it shifts to an online-only format, USF will focus on the station’s primary purpose as a teaching laboratory for students. The university is evaluating ways to improve the student learning experience and enhance its curriculum in digital media and audio production. USF is also pleased to announce that CPRN will make internships available to qualified USF students interested in radio broadcasting.

USF will invest the proceeds from the sale to support its mission, and will continue to offer a valuable learning experience for its media students. USF is pleased that it can also help ensure the long-term presence of high-quality classical music programming in the Bay Area.

The sale must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

http://www.usfca.edu/Newsroom/Community_News/KUSF_Moves_to_Online_Only_Format/

[Mike]

"USF is pleased that it can also help ensure the long-term presence of high-quality classical music programming in the Bay Area."

Hmmm... that's a bit of a dig at KDFC, no? And/or it makes you wonder about KDFC switching formats.

[DToTheJ]

More info here, where a DJ reporting for work tweets that the studio doors were locked:
http://sfist.com/2011/01/18/usf_sells_kusf.php

Oh, and another tweet by someone from the station promises an "impromptu demonstration on the USF campus tomorrow at 7."

[DToTheJ]

"USF is pleased that it can also help ensure the long-term presence of high-quality classical music programming in the Bay Area..." that's a bit of a dig at KDFC... it makes you wonder about KDFC switching formats.

They were ranked ninth in the last ratings period... But i the PPM era, even a smooth jazz juggernaut in Seattle finds itself becoming extinct, so Entercom killing KDFC wouldn't surprise me... Then again, they just purchased KUFX out of San Jose - suppose that's where the classical format will end up? Does KUFX have a weaker signal?

[Mark Jeffries]

More info here, where a DJ reporting for work tweets that the studio doors were locked:
http://sfist.com/2011/01/18/usf_sells_kusf.php

Oh, and another tweet by someone from the station promises an "impromptu demonstration on the USF campus tomorrow at 7."

I was wondering how they were avoiding a situation like KTRU in Houston and if the students were in on the sale and transition.  Looks like they weren't.

The SFist has a commenter saying something like "we don't need two classical stations in San Francisco."  It seems to me that the classical music purists would be making the same complaints about KFDC that they do about most classical music stations these days (too many short pieces, repetitious playlist, overly chatty announcers) and might consider a rebroadcast of KUSC better (although they probably prefer KPFA back in its early days before the radicals took it over, when it was a very highbrow classical music station).

[DavidEduardo]

They were ranked ninth in the last ratings period... But i the PPM era, even a smooth jazz juggernaut in Seattle finds itself becoming extinct, so Entercom killing KDFC wouldn't surprise me... Then again, they just purchased KUFX out of San Jose - suppose that's where the classical format will end up? Does KUFX have a weaker signal?

KUFX is a South Bay station (Santa Clara County, spillage up the East Bay a bit, same on the Peninsula). It would complement a pure San Francisco signal, few of which really penetrate Santa Clara County well. And that gives much nearer a complete coverage of the total metro.

KDFC is nearly down to 30th 25-54, and revenues are off in recent years, although the whole market is off by about the same percentage.

[Mike]

wait... the Chronicle story says KDFC is moving to KUSF's spot on the FM dial

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/18/DDV71H9VL2.DTL&tsp=1

and that 102.1 will simulcast K-FOX. But why on earth would you simulcast K-FOX on an SF frequency when SF already has a Classic Rocker (The Band), a younger-skewing almost-Classic Rocker (The Bone) and a classics-heavy Triple-A (KFOG)?

[larstone]

To Mike and all interested parties: the USC/Classical Public Radio Network is not adding a classical station at 90.3, KUSF's spot. It is taking over KDFC and moving it to 90.3 plus a signal in the Napa Valley. KDFC will be intact. Entercom, free of KDFC, will put KUFX on 102.1, simulcasting in San Jose. Big Rick Stuart is rumored to be starting on KFOX around 4. He's been dropping musical hints on his FB page, but the Chronicle is saying he begins next Monday. So maybe he'll begin on 98.5 only, then simulcast next week. Bay Citizen and SFGate are posting stories as we speak. Very sad to lose KUSF. Will be fun to have Greg Kihn mornings in SF.

[Lkeller]

wait... the Chronicle story says KDFC is moving to KUSF's spot on the FM dial

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/18/DDV71H9VL2.DTL&tsp=1

and that 102.1 will simulcast K-FOX. But why on earth would you simulcast K-FOX on an SF frequency when SF already has a Classic Rocker (The Band), a younger-skewing almost-Classic Rocker (The Bone) and a classics-heavy Triple-A (KFOG)?

I assume the answer to that is: Entercom can make more revenue from yet-another-classic-rock station than they can from a Classical station.  As I recall, this has been a trend in other markets: the owners of the classical station are somewhat reluctant to dump the format and risk public outrage until then can find some way to trade it off to a college or non-profit. Once they do, it is no longer their problem.

Classical music listeners might like the new KDFC better - since it doesn't have to worry about ratings, it may broaden the play list and add more eclectic music beyond classical 'Greatest Hits.'  On the other hand, many people will not be able to receive the signal on low powered 90.3

Note that this article removes any speculation about Big Rick Stuart's destination.