Save Grassroots Radio

By Lynn Arave
Deseret Morning News
Published: Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 12:14 a.m. MST (original)

Commercial radio always seems to be changing formats, personalities and owners. The world of noncommercial public radio now, too, seems to be in a state of flux.

KCPW is for sale, KBYU is airing more details about its sponsors and KRCL (FM-90.9) has announced some impending changes as well.

The biggest change is that KRCL will no longer use volunteer programmers from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays, meaning some of the station regulars will be saying goodbye.

KRCL will continue to be programmed primarily by on-air volunteer hosts at other times of the day, but professional, paid programmers will apparently soon take over from 6 a.m-6 p.m. each weekday.

In a letter to listeners, Donna Land Maldonado, KRCL general manager, said, "KRCL is evolving. We're taking the sound and personality of the great station that we all love and making it just a little bit better. One unfortunate reality of these changes — we're going to have to say goodbye to some of the people and programs that we all love and respect."

She stressed making change is difficult, but "KRCL is a community radio station, and in order to provide service, we should be increasing our listenership as the population increases. If we do not increase the listenership, we are not making the most of a valuable resource — our radio license — and we risk losing significant support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting."

Although the Wasatch Front has grown by a half-million people in the past decade, KRCL's audience is only up 1.4 percent in that time.

KRCL is still "committed to being Utah's diverse, independent and alternative voice" and a community radio station.

"Our goal is to reach more listeners who want to be challenged, experimental and independent, and invite them to be part of the KRCL community," Maldonado wrote.

She also accepts comments and suggestions on KRCL's future by e-mail at changes@krcl.org.

Is Salt Lake City big enough for two KRCLs?

Dead Air: KRCL is getting a corporate makeover. Is community radio done for? (Includes many user comments)