WOSU-FM to Adopt News/Classical Format

The Columbus Dispatch reported today that WOSU-FM will be changing its programming from all-classical to a mixed news/classical format. WOSU-AM all-news service will remain unchanged.

Morning Edition and All Things Considered are currently available in Columbus on WCBE as well as WOSU-AM.

WOSU Radio Station Manager Tim Eby said the changes are needed to draw more people to the station, whose audience, while stable, is aging. "These changes will expand the impact of our local news programming and reach new audiences for both WOSU-FM and WOSU-AM,"

The article also quoted WCBE's GM:

"I'm curious as to whether the market can really support that," WCBE General Manager Dan Mushalko said. "Listener support is difficult as it is. I'm just not sure that carrying the same service on two FM stations is good for the market and good for the stations.

"On the other hand," Mushalko said, "there has been a movement at the network level to try to attract younger listeners to public radio. Since we already attract a broader age group of listeners, this might open the door for us to experiment with newer, more innovative news programming."

WOSU's repeater system will simulcast the new FM signal throughout Ohio.