Broadcast Stats
An American Symphony Orchestra League survey confirms that classical music holds
a shrinking share of radio airtime -- a source of concern to orchestras, which
rely on classical stations to cultivate audiences. The survey, sent in April to
orchestras in the United States and Canada with budgets above $1.5 million,
covered several broadcast- and webcast-related questions, and garnered a high
response rate of 54 percent (62 of 115 orchestras). Some results:
27
percent reported having lost a classical radio station in their area over the
last five years. Most were commercial stations licensed in the countryÕs largest
cities, reflecting the high demand for frequencies in major radio markets. Only
one respondent noted a classical-station gain.
77 percent reported at
least one full-time classical signal reaching their area, and 46 percent
specified two or more options for classical listening. Orchestras located in
less densely populated regions were more likely to have multiple classical
services than orchestras in large cities.
86 percent of respondents
broadcast some or all of their concerts on one or more stations.
Only
eleven respondents syndicate a national series of concerts -- a significant
reduction from previous years. However, many orchestras reach a national
audience by contributing concert material to two National Public Radio programs:
the new weekly SymphonyCast and the daily Performance Today.
Four
respondents report having webcast their concerts, but another seven note that
their concerts reach the Internet audience through streamed radio-station
signals.