FCC approves WGBH purchase of radio station
The Federal Communications Commission approved today WGBH's purchase of classical music radio station WCRB-FM (99.5) from Nassau Broadcasting Partners, station officials said.
The move comes after Boston public broadcaster WGBH said in September that it was bidding to buy Waltham-based WCRB. (To read a Globe story from September about WGBH and WCRB, please click here.)
With the acquisition, WGBH plans to convert its WGBH-FM (89.7) radio station to an all-news and talk format. That station currently airs a mix of National Public Radio syndicated programs, classical music, and jazz shows.
"When 'CRB became available, it was a great opportunity,'' said Jeanne Hopkins, a WGBH spokesperson.
WCRB, one of the country's few remaining 24-hour commercial classical music radio stations, ranks 16th overall in the Boston radio market with a 2.8 percent share of listeners, according to recent Arbitron ratings.
The WCRB purchase price was estimated at $14 million. WGBH plans to finance the sale by launching a capital campaign donation drive called Keeping Classical Alive.
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