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RadioInsight

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City Of Dallas Seeking Non-Profits To Operate WRR

Posted: 05 Jul 2021 10:00 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210401/city-of-dallas-seeking-non-profits-to-operate-wrr/



The City of Dallas is currently seeking RFPs for a non-profit to take over operations of Classical 101.1 WRR Dallas.

In a statement the citys Office of Arts and Culture states, The City of
Dallas and Office of Arts and Culture greatly values the classical music broadcasts and arts organizations support that Classical WRR 101.1 FM radio provides. Unfortunately, due to reduced advertising revenue during the
global pandemic and legal restrictions on the government employees of WRR
to comply with ethics regulations, WRR 101.1 FM has operated at a deficit
for eight years in a row, with a declining fund balance in operating
reserves of $5.1M since 2012. The station’s operating results have ranged from nearly breakeven to losses of over $1.2 Million, not including capital obligations. As a responsible steward, the City of Dallas is exploring new management for WRR 101.1 FM to ensure it remains a City-owned classical
music format radio station. All RFP respondents must operate as a
nonprofit. If the station’s operating and capital reserves were exhausted, the City would not be able to require it remain a classical station.

In the current RFP for management adhering to all City protocols, the City
will retain ownership of the station and WRR will be a classical music
station continuing services to arts organizations. This is similar to
Dallas’ other City-owned, privately managed cultural assets such as the Moorland YMCA Building managed by Dallas Black Dance Theater and the
Sammons Center for the Arts. Following the close of the procurement, the
City will begin negotiations with bidders to recommend one for Council
action to ensure continued classical music radio on City of Dallas-owned
WRR 101.1 FM.

Friends of WRR, which provides membership drives for the commercial
station, is protesting the move concerned that the bidding process is
rushed and flawed. Friends of WRR states, it does not give potential
bidders enough time or information to prepare bids that sufficiently
protect the station. If no one bids, we are concerned the City will move to sell the station. Even if a bidder wins the contract, the station is
exposed to a serious risk of long-term harm and, ultimately, a sale.

Dallas came close to a four-way deal in 2003 that wouldve seen the WRR intellectual property move to 105.7 KRNB Decatur TX and be operated by
Public News/Talk 90.1 KERA-FM via LMA. That deal would have Susquehanna
Radio move then Classic Rock 93.3 The Bone KDBN Haltom City to 101.1, while Service Broadcasting wouldve acquired 93.3 to replace 105.7. In that deal a combined $60 million from Susquehanna and Service would have gone to the
city. The deal fell apart due to vocal concerns over the weakness of the
105.7 signal in parts of the city.

The Request For Proposals opened on June 17 and must be submitted by 5:00pm
on July 15.



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Stingray Acquires Calm Radio

Posted: 05 Jul 2021 09:37 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210397/stingray-acquires-calm-radio/



Montreal based Stingray Group has announced the acquisition of relaxation
based streaming audio platform Calm Radio.

Stingray, which operates radio stations across Canada as well as audio
channels on cable and streaming platforms in the United States, will
operate Calm Radio as a wholly owned subsidiary. Calm Radio offers 500 free channels of relaxation, classical and contemporary music, an additional
1,000 premium HD channels for meditation, sleep, audiobooks, podcasts, classical music, ambient, jazz, world music, pop, contemporary and nature sounds, and currently has over one million unique monthly users and 30,000
paid subscribers.

Stingray Group Inc., a leading music, media, and technology company, today announced that it has acquired Calm Radio, the world’s largest online music streaming service focused on the wellness and relaxation markets. With this acquisition, Stingray grows its portfolio of curated music content, significantly increases its subscriber base and dives into the health and wellness industry.
Founded in 2009, Calm Radio delivers 500 free channels of relaxation,
acoustic, classical, jazz, ambient and contemporary music and over 1,000 premium channels of calming sounds, sleep music, sleep sounds, sleep
stories, guided meditations, and meditation music to wind-down. Each scenic video benefits from the musical and audio expertise of an individual programmer. Every relaxation channel is specifically curated around the
three principal activities in listeners’ lives: work, study, and sleep.

Calm Radio Highlights

Near seven million monthly listening hours
Over one million unique monthly users
Over 30,000 streaming subscribers
85% year-over-year growth
500 free channels of relaxation, classical and contemporary music
Over 1,000 premium HD channels for meditation, sleep, audiobooks, podcasts, classical music, ambient, jazz, world music, pop, contemporary and nature sounds
Available on over 20 platforms
4.6-star rating on Apple’s App Store
“Best New Update” — Apple 2019

Calm Radio complements Stingray’s existing services, Stingray Music and Stingray Naturescape, thus opening the door to powerful content synergy opportunities and growth for the product line.
We are delighted to welcome Calm Radio to the Stingray family and expect
this strategic acquisition to deepen our presence worldwide with its
premium life-enhancing and relaxing music offering, said Eric Boyko, President, Co-founder, and CEO of Stingray. As the undisputed world-leading provider of music programming, Stingray can seamlessly integrate Calm Radio into our existing platforms, enabling us to distribute the content further
and expand our reach globally.
“In Stingray, we have found a partner with global reach who shares our
unique vision and drive to expand the reach of wellness and relaxation
music programming, making the benefits of Calm Radio accessible to the
broadest and most diverse audience possible,” said Eric Harry, Founder and CEO of Calm Radio. “We are confident that with Stingray’s cooperation, Calm Radio will expand its reach and provide music for a healthier lifestyle to enthusiasts around the globe.”
Stingray will wholly own and operate Calm Radio, under the continued
leadership and direction of the Calm Radio’s current leadership team.




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WPFQ Goes Retro

Posted: 05 Jul 2021 04:30 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210384/wpfq-goes-retro/



A year and a half after launching AAA Q102 The Queen Bee WPFQ
Sylvester/Albany GA, Pretoria Fields Collective Media has moved the station online as it prepares to transfer the station to a new operator.

John Golobishs JetStream Media has begun operating WPFQ via LMA as Classic
Hits Retro-FM 102.1. The move brings the 1980s/1990s based webcaster that Golobishs on-air persona John Patrick had been operating as Retro Mix for
the past few years to FM after a previous attempt at acquiring a Georgia station failed. Golobish agreed to purchase 1490 WSYL/103.3 W277DI Sylvania
GA in November 2020 for $20,000, however the FCC designated it for a
license renewal hearing in March leading to seller NIA Broadcasting surrendering the license in April.

Golobish is a broadcast veteran who worked in radio in multiple
Pennsylvania markets earlier in his career. Since 2005 he has been a meteorologist at WZVN-TV Fort Myers FL under the John Patrick air name.

Pretoria Fields Collective Media had purchased then 102.1 Nash-FM WNUQ from Cumulus Medias Mainstay Station Trust in 2019 for $90,000. It launched the now-former AAA format in January 2020.

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