Why classical music critics matter

I noticed that a short time after the Boston Herald dismissed its its two classical music critics: T. J. Medrek and Keith Powers, that suddenly Mr. Powers' byline reappeared for a couple of major concerts (the BSO "Les Troyens for example). Even a "if-it-bleeds-it-leads" tabloid must have recognized that they made a mistake eliminating classical music coverage. It's worth noting they kept their theater critic on staff, and she appears regularly on WGBH'TV's "Greater Boston".