Explaining the Changes at WUSF and Classical WSMR

Wednesday is a historic day around WUSF Public Media.

As part of the transition, WUSF 89.7 is switching to all news and information programs during the day, along with All-Night Jazz an hour earlier at 9 p.m.

We're welcoming a new radio station to the family -- Classical WSMR 89.1, a station dedicated solely to classical music.

We've just learned there will be a delay in the on-air broadcast of our new classical station, WSMR. Due to technical adjustments being made on the broadcast tower, 89.1 FM will go on the air a few days later than expected.

On Wednesday, WUSF 89.7 will switch to its all-news and Jazz format.

We plan to broadcast the brand new, all-classical WSMR at 89.1 very soon. Meanwhile, classical music will continue to be available on WUSF 89.7 HD-2, and streaming over the Web at wsmr.org.

WUSF's Joshua Stewart talked with Program Director Sheila Rue about the changes -- and why they're happening in the first place.

Rue says that the news audience wants more news, and classical listeners want more classical. Buying a second station allows WUSF Public Media to give both audiences more of what they want.

Classical WSMR 89.1 will reach a new audience as far sound as Ft. Myers, but some listeners in Polk and Pasco counties, as well as northern reaches of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, may have trouble receiving the station at first, Rue says.

But those classical fans will have other ways to keep listening, she said: streaming over the Internet or on an HD radio at 89.72.

She said the station has formed a special technical team to help listeners find HD radios and install them in their homes properly.

There are answers to more of your questions -- and that coverage map they were talking about -- HERE.