Switch from jazz at WDUQ falls flat for enthusiasts
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Some jazz fans on Wednesday assailed the new format for WDUQ-FM (90.5) that will be heavy on news and information but shifts most of the jazz programming to other media platforms.
Essential Public Media, the WYEP-FM subsidiary that's buying WDUQ from Duquesne University for $6 million, announced details of its new programming lineup Wednesday. The format change is planned for July 1.
The new public station will fill most of its airtime with news and information, including NPR staples such as "Morning Edition," All Things Considered" and "Fresh Air," along with in-depth local news coverage.
Jazz, long a mainstay of the station, will air for six hours on Saturday nights. The music will move to a 24/7 HD channel and online stream and will be available on mobile apps for smartphones and tablets.
"We envision a fairly robust local news coverage that I'd describe as NPR-style storytelling and try to go after stories that aren't being told that we feel need to be told," said Marco Cardamone, EPM chair.
EPM will maintain JazzWorks, the syndicated jazz programming produced by WDUQ and carried on more than 40 public stations across the country. JazzWorks will feed programming to the 24-hour daily online jazz stream and HD channel.
However, the local jazz community was disappointed to hear that jazz will have a diminished presence on the local airwaves.
"It's draconian," said Evan Pattak, chair of Jazz Lives in Pittsburgh, of EPM's decision. "From 100 hours [a week] to six -- it's a blow to this city's cultural and artistic diversity. I can't imagine any jazz fan who would find it acceptable."
Mr. Pattak and a group of community leaders and jazz supporters launched Jazz Lives in Pittsburgh earlier this year. They submitted a proposal to EPM, asking for six hours of jazz a day -- less than what WDUQ currently airs, arguing that limited jazz is better than none.
First Published May 26, 2011 12:00 am
