We have listened to WUFT since 1997 and was dismayed at the recent changes that
dropped all classical music for all talk radio. While we enjoy many of the
programs--Prairie Home Companion, Car Talk, Fresh Air, Diane Reams and others,
it is just too much to have all talk shows and interviews and no classical music
for all of Gainesville area. We will not renew my pledge this year and will
probably buy a Sirius radio for our automobile instead. If you change format
back to some classical music and other mixed venues of music, we will return as
a listener and a financial supporter.
Comment confirmed at 2009-11-02 18:58:27
To Whom It May Concern:
I am 44 years old and have lived in the listening area since I was five years
old. I have been a life long listener of Gainesville's public radio station --
first, when it occupied the 103.7 FM spot, then, when it moved down the dial to
89.1 and became "Classic 89." My parents were regular contributors to the
station (until the program change occurred in August of 2009). I have been a
contributor to this station as an adult as regularly as I have been able to
afford. As a contributor, I always felt I had a "voice" in what was chosen for
the programming on Classic 89 -- I felt as though I had part "ownership" in this
"public" radio station. I have been so very proud of "my" radio station for so
long -- I have invited so many people to listen to the interesting and varied
programming. I have loved this station for its eclectic mix of music genres,
news shows, forums, old time radio programs, and quirky shows such as "Car
Talk." I cannot express the depth of sadness I have experienced at the loss of
my beloved station and its fantastic format since August, this year. I feel as
though a part of my soul has been removed -- I considered listening to this
station my refuge from the everyday hectic existence that we all have to face.
It was this station and its unusual programming that took me to so many places
I'd never been, allowed me to hear music I'd never heard before. This station
helped me cement friendships with other listeners with whom I could discuss
programming that we enjoyed so much. I feel as though the powers that be at UF
or at WUFT ignored my wishes and the wishes of an entire community when they
decided to forever change the format and destroy what I and so many others have
felt was a significant part of what it meant to live and work in Gainesville and
the entire listening area. If it were strictly a matter of moving ahead with the
HD radio technology, I would have gladly purchased an HD radio for my car and
every room of my home, but that is not the case. I refuse to buy an HD radio to
listen to ONLY classical music (which, by the way, I love dearly) or ONLY talk
radio (which, I also enjoy, but not to the exclusion of the other varied
programming that used to be on Classic 89). I would hope that those who have the
power to rectify this great wrong would find it reasonable to do so. You have
done a great disservice to the Gainesville community and the surrounding
listening areas. I have not listened to your station since shortly after the
change and will not do so because I absolutely and completely dislike what you
have done to "my" Classic 89 -- "my" radio station is dead. I will never again
contribute to Gainesville public radio until the old format is reinstated, I can
promise you that.
Comment confirmed at 2009-11-04 12:50:01
Classic FM was the only local station that broadcast classic music. Having been
away from Gainesville for a time this summer, I was looking forward to enjoying
WUFT-FM Classic 89 when I returned. However, I returned to another talk radio
station much to my dislike. I implore you to please return the station to what
it was before. The change cannot be an economic one.
Comment confirmed at 2009-11-04 17:19:53
Keep the Caravan and other great music shows. With all your pledges and funding
gone, you will find who really supported you: Classic Music.
Comment confirmed at 2009-11-04 21:31:40
The loss of the music format on "Classic 89" has removed the "class" from
WUFT-FM's offerings. I've visited several big cities in the past several
months, cities with major universities. ALL have a classical music station
coming from their university connection. Gainesville has gone down a notch by
allowing this non-stop, talk show format. If we want to be in the top ranking
among universities and respected as a quality smaller city, we need a return to
the music format that Gainesville has enjoyed for decades with WUFT-FM.
Comment confirmed at 2009-11-08 09:18:04
I have been tuned in to Classic 89 for every waking hour since it came on the
air in 1981. I have supported the station financially as I have been able to. I
am bereft. I am angry. I cannot believe you, as dean, would not understand the
many values of the music programming to the students and the community.
Listeners far and wide have supported the choice of the programming. It's
removal is a breach of trust as well as cop out to blather in large and
repetitive doses. The station is no longer an exceptionally creative model. It
is now just another spot on the dial.