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KUSF Off the Air; Details Emerging
A KUSF logo
Updated Jan. 18, 2011 at 4:02 p.m.
In a shocking move — to DJs as well as fans — the University of San Francisco has sold KUSF and taken the free-form 34-year-old station off the air.
In an online press release, USF details its move. "The university has reached an agreement to assign the FCC license for radio frequency 90.3 FM to Classical Public Radio Network, which is launching a non-commercial classical music station in the Bay Area," said the statement, noting CPRN is owned by University of Southern California.
Effective immediately, as the now-blank KUSF website shows, the station is moving to an online-only format. USF's statement said that the station will go dark briefly for "engineering work."
The news seem to come as a total surprise to station workers. On Twitter, DJ Carolyn Keddy said, "Just showed up @kusf to my show and the doors are locked. USF has sold the station. Management was in on it. They're keeping all our records."
USF also said in its statement that all workers would be offered their jobs in the online-only era. We'll update with more info as we get it, but the SF music community is already reacting with sadness about the loss of the long-running staple of the scene. As musician Chuck Prophet noted on Twitter, "The apocalypse is here. Still reeling over KUSF being sold off." The station says an impromptu demonstration is planned for 7 p.m. tomorrow.
At 10 a.m. this morning, Irwin Swirnoff, a DJ and music director at KUSF, was doing some volunteer work in the station when he heard an alarming thing: silence. Or rather, the sound of static as USF, per an agreement with USC-owned Classical Public Radio Network, cut the transmitter.
To those present at the station, including the on-air DJ, Howard Ryan, it seemed that no one had been given warning of the sale.
"The hallways filled with people in suits, and others started to change the locks," said Swirnoff of the scene immediately after the transmitter stopped working. He, along with other station workers, didn't mince words about their feelings towards USF. "The university had been keeping this from us, hadn't involved us at all," said Swirnoff, speaking from the work room of KUSF, where he and other volunteers have been frantically pulling records of past ticket winners and music press, trying to get the word out that KUSF had been unfairly brought down.
University spokesman Gary McDonald affirmed that USF had kept information about the station's sale — which was a $3.75 million dollar deal — quiet, but said that two of the four full-time workers did know about it. Discussions, he said, had been taking place for the past few months.
"The papers were signed on Friday," McDonald said. He cited confidential legal reasons as the cause of USF's silence to the station's volunteers.
While the format change, from radio broadcast to online-only, is obviously the largest change, McDonald also pointed to other transformations in the works. "We are going to refocus the station on its primary purpose as a teaching lab for students," he said. "We are looking at ways to enhance curriculum in digital media."
Swirnoff and others, meanwhile, are trying to rally the public behind the station. The FCC filing allows for 30 days of public comment before the sale goes through. Why, he asked, was the station not given a chance to buy itself if the university was so desperate to sell?
"We never had the opportunity to do outreach," he said, amid the hubbub of a noisy room. "For a school that prides itself on Jesuit values, it is acting in the interests of greed and dishonesty."
McDonald said that, right now, the full context of this move hasn't been made public, but there will be an announcement this afternoon that will place these events "in a larger story."
UPDATE: More details about recent KUSF goings-on are coming out. Last week, it seems that station managers informed volunteer staff that the station would be moving into a new, smaller studio on campus.
This was not wholly unexpected, as a KUSF volunteer who wished to remain anonymous said that station founder and manager Steve Runyon had dropped a hint this summer that KUSF would be moving — although, then, the thought was that it would move off-campus, to Fort Mason.
USF spokesman McDonald acknowledged the inopportune timing of the announced move, but said it was unrelated to the change in format — the building needed rewiring and had plumbing problems.
And the SF Chronicle's Peter Hartlaub said that the KUSF move was part of a larger deal. It seems that classical music is set to make a comeback in the Bay Area — USC is purchasing classical music station KDFC so that it will now broadcast on 89.9 FM and KUSF's now-former 90.3 FM. This deal means that KNDL, a North Bay Christian station, will also be losing its signal.
In a press release, Entercom Communications and USC used quotes from SF Symphony director Michael Tilson Thomas and SF Opera touting the move as a positive step for Bay Area classical listeners. Also as part of this deal, Entercom will be broadcasting classic rock on both 98.5 KFOX (from San Jose) and 102.1 in SF.
USF spokesman McDonald said that the deal was kept confidential on the wishes of the buyer, USC, although that was a common practice in a situation such as this. He said that the station could reopen as soon as Thursday, and the website would go back up as well. In response to those who protested the move, McDonald emphasized that KUSF isn't ending — it's merely streaming.
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Zoe Corneli
This is indeed shocking news. College radio was my entry point into the world of journalism, and I often tune in to KALX or KUSF when I need a break from news stations or repetitive rotations of pop music.
Anyone who lived in Minneapolis during the '90s remembers when REV105 ("Revolution Radio"), a favorite alternative radio station, went off the air. Its final act of sticking it to the man was to play "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" by REM for 24 hours straight.
Devon Strolovitch
WOBC 91.5 FM Oberlin OH -- Lorain County's only alternative. [sic]
gary fong
I have been listening to KUSF for what seems like 20 years now. For a lot of these years, the only way I could listen to it is via online. The signal doesn't penetrate Marin very well. And it never seemed to make its way into offices of where I work. So I've always had a prominent bookmark in my browser. I just hope it maintains it cutting edge format.
Larry-bob Roberts
Zoe, another parallel with radio in Minnesota: in 2004, St. Olaf College sold off the frequency of its long-term classical station WCAL to public radio behemoth Minnesota Public Radio for $10.5 million. MPR, which already had frequencies devoted to classical music and news, used the frequency to start an eclectic broadcast focusing on local and independent rock music called "The Current." WCAL had been a listener-supported station since the 1920s, the first in the country. There has been subsequent legal action regarding illegal sale of a public trust, but a panel of judges ruled the litigation was too late.
Ashleyanne Krigbaum
Absolute outrage. I cannot believe the level of disrespect that the USF management extended onto the hard workin' volunteers of KUSF. Spitting upon a strong and eclectic reputation of Bay Area DIY broadcasting. KALX 90.7FM is still going strong, and welcomes all of the talented ne'er-do-wells of KUSF into its fold. Anyone and everyone interested in participating and training in public radio is welcome to attend the KALX Spring Orientation on Feb. 3, 2011 at 7:30PM in 145 Dwinelle Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. Anyone is welcome to message me with any questions. It's time to play some Morrissey and tear up. RIP.
Steve Rubenstein
This is horrible news. Those listeners who would like to hear Movie Magazine International or Shoestring Radio Theatre Tomorrow night can listen from this link on the Shoestring Radio Theatre website.
http://www.shoestring.org/listen.html
Eric Westby
I guess I'm the dissenter: I'm tickled that non-commercial classical is coming (back) to the Bay Area. Having lived in LA for a couple of years and been spoiled by the fantastic programming on classical KUSC, I have every confidence they'll rescue KDFC from its "greatest hits of the 18th century" programming and provide a platform for truly interesting music.
It's a pity they couldn't have done it with more sensitivity to the students currently running KUSF, of course....
Lori Bevilacqua
this news has had me sick and irritable all day. i had just listened this morning like i've always done for the past 25 years. but then i arrive to work at 10, log in to facebook only to find that my dear kusf was no more. wtf? i thought it was some sick joke. then, one posting after another revealed it to be true. (unlike the silly zodiac hoax last week that had everyone reeling, then breathing a sigh of relief...oh what i wouldn't give to trade my current zodiac sign for kusf back.) kusf IS san francisco. it's a truly sad day when a local, indie, volunteer-run station gets traded for classical. i have nothing against classical. but we already have one of those stations. of course i will continue to listen to kusf online, if that's the only way to listen now, but what do you do if you listen on a bathroom radio? put your laptop in the bathroom while you're getting ready for work each morn?
"here it is
here i am
turn it up
fuckin' loud
radio, radio, radio...
when i got the music
i got a place to go"
see you at the rally tomorrow!
Wednesday, January 19 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: USF - FROMM HALL
2130 Fulton St., SF, CA
baybean1989
Mr Eric Westby - I too love classical music and would be happy to welcome a station with a well-designed classical program. However, it did not need to arrive at the expense of KUSF - especially in the incredibly poor manner in which it was executed. My explanation of your words to my rationale is that you are either incredibly naive or just plain ignorant regarding the awesome contributions and positive position that KUSF holds witihin its own Univesity community and the Bay Area overall. KUSF is a progressive, informed, staffed with much talent radio station that filled a much-needed place in our loved City. I believe whole heartedly Sir, with your apparent need to say something just to hear yourself commentary, that you are indeed from LA.
p.s. I presumed that if I ran on with my words - it would be a language you might understand. Blah ti Blah ti Blah.
Eric Westby
What a snide and mean-spirited comment. Take a moment and reflect on why you felt the need to turn your defense of KUSF into a sneering personal attack on a stranger, just because he disagreed with you.
And no, I'm not from LA: I just lived there for a couple of years for work. I grew up in Santa Rosa.
Have a great day!
Anthony Belvedere
Mr. Westby - why don't you respond to this:
"Mr Eric Westby - I too love classical music and would be happy to welcome a station with a well-designed classical program. However, it did not need to arrive at the expense of KUSF - especially in the incredibly poor manner in which it was executed."
Do you have a response to that? Do you think it's fair that DJs, production personnel and others show up to work to find the doors locked? Can you justify replacing an alternative radio station with a format that is already available?
Aaron Rothman
Just another example of the man keeping you down. Hmmm, let's see. Who listens to classical music mostly....well-to-do white people. And who relies on kusf to keep up with the local community music and happenings...not well to do white people. You know, people get mad when you use the race card and socio-economic standing to cry foul, but guess what, to these Jesuits it apparently is about this. As a USF alum, I took pride that USF gave a forum for such progressive radio programming. Seems like that if you enjoy classical music, you can pretty much get it anywhere through various websites. The programming on KUSF brought music to people that they would otherwise never know existed and to a lot of people that don't have computers or smart-phones to stream audio all day. There goes my alumni donation.
Brian Lew
Sorry.. The only time I listen to a Classical Music radio station is when I'm at the dentist's office. Selling off an institution like KUSF like this is astounding; the station has been a representative / showcase of the diverse S.F. Music Scene. Having a new Classical Music-only station in its place doesn't keep S.F. diverse.
Silvio Brandespim
Hi Brian My name is Silvio and I'm from Brazil...like you I'm a real heandbanger since 80ties and sure I used to follow even nowadays all the Bay area Thrash scene. I'd like to be in touch with you because right now I'm writing a Mercyful Fate's biography...remember...King Diamond and gang?!? So I'd like to know where and how can I buy the book you released about Thrash metal and I really need to know from you If I can get even if a "Copy" from the WHIPLASH Zine number one!
And Yeah, I willing to pay for that...I really need it for my article and job here. Thank you so much...not easy find you man.
Stay Heavy.
Cheers.
Silvio Brandespim.
Silvio Brandespim
You can reach me here in that private email: mercydiamond_616@hotmail.com
:)
billcostley
Nobody's yet mentioned SactoState's KXPR 88.9 all-classical broadcast-station that reaches S.F., & San Jose (weakly.)
chris w
Check out my photos from the KUSF protest. http://bit.ly/hKFcV0
Anthony Belvedere
This whole thing reeks of back-room deals and trying to kill an underdog. You can't tell me that SF doesn't have a classical station. There's probably a few. However, there is only ONE KUSF. This station was a beacon of hope in Corporate Radioland. It's legacy is long and deep; they were strong supporters of SF's underground music scene, making it more vibrant and accessible. There were legendary DJs; remember Germ? This was guy who REALLY helped many an alt-band. I did some production work at KUSF in the 90s, and I don't think I would have ever been given a chance at a mainstream or a classical station. I remember doing a New Year's Eve show with Germ in the 80s that was just frickin' hilarious. The university should be ashamed on every level.