The Federal Communications Commission yesterday approved WGBH’s purchase of classical station WCRB 99.5 FM from Nassau Broadcasting Partners, station officials said.
The move comes after WGBH said in September it was bidding to buy the Waltham-based classical music station so it could convert 89.7 FM, which currently airs a mix of National Public Radio syndicated programs, classical, and jazz shows, to an all-news talk format. WGBH plans to shift the classical programming to 99.5 FM.
WCRB, one of the country’s few remaining 24-hour commercial classic radio stations, ranks 16th overall in the Boston radio market with a 2.8 percent share of listeners, according to recent Arbitron ratings.
The FCC approval allows WGBH to forge ahead with programming changes for both stations. WGBH also operates WCAI and WNCK broadcasting to the Cape and Islands.
The WCRB purchase was estimated at $14 million. WGBH plans to finance the sale by launching a capital campaign donation drive called “Keep Classical Alive.’’
