Boston's commercial-classical WCRB (99.5) is sold to cross-town WGBH

Public radio/TV operator WGBH will convert WCRB, Lowell, MA to non-commercial operation, like its own news-and-classical WGBH (89.7) – and in fact, it’s already asking for donations on its website. WGBH legitimately plays the role of preserving WCRB’s decades-old classical format, at a time when a company like Entercom might want the 99.5 frequency for sports. Seller is Nassau Broadcasting, which is being acquired by its main lender, Goldman Sachs. Nassau acquired the intellectual property of the WCRB classical format and the 99.5 frequency in a two-market swap with Greater Media several years ago. The 2009 price for WCRB is $14 million, and this new deal is brokered by Patrick Communications' Larry Patrick and Greg Guy for seller Nassau, and by Public Radio Capital for buyer WGBH. Marc Hand of Public Radio Capital managing director Marc Hand says “this is an extraordinary opportunity for WGBH to strengthen and enhance its strong commitment to classical music programming.”

Reprinted from Radio-Info.Com Monday, September 21, 2009.

WQXR/WCAA New York Frequency Swap To Occur October 8

The frequency swap of Classical 96.3 WQXR New York and Spanish Urban “La Kalle 105.9″ WCAA made possible by the $45 Million Three-way swap announced in July, will take place on October 8 at 8:00pm from the stage of Carnegie Hall. Univision paid the New York Times Company $33.5 Million for the 96.3 allocation. WNYC then paid $11.5 Million for the WQXR intellectual property and the 105.9 signal. WQXR will convert to non-commercial operation under WNYC’s ownership and will continue to air Classical Music programming. Soon-to-be sister 93.9 WNYC-FM will drop its nighttime and weekend Classical programming for more News/Talk.

This story is reprinted from RadioInsight.Com which appeared on September 11, 2009.