Comments from the petition: Page 22

Please bring back classical music.

It is so sad that in a multi-cultural, multi-aged community there is now the
loss of the only source of arts programming and classical music we had in
Gainesville. Unless I have a satellite radio or carry my own music with me, I am
forced to listen to music I do not enjoy, each station being more of the same
few types of music on locally received radio stations, or I have to listen to
talk shows which do not interest me. Classical music can be soothing and
uplifting, calming and inspiring, things we so badly need in these times of
rush, stress and economic challenges. Why did you take this away from us? Please
reconsider this decision. I must also say that I fail to understand the amount
of money being paid a consultant to revamp these services. Good grief! In
these times? For what purpose???

When I moved to Gainesville in 1980 and there was no NPR, I was stunned. From
the inception of WUFT-FM I have been a supporter, occasionally volunteering
during fund drives, reading to the blind for a year, but mostly with money,
especially the posters. I miss classical music and jazz. The new format is too
much talk, rehashing the same issues. Keep Terri Gross, lose Diane Reem; keep
AR, limit BBC to 5-6:00 AM. I like the Saturday line-up, but Monday-Friday
needs to be reworked. I'm having to re-think my level of support since I had no
say in these changes and want restoration of what was so enjoyable as well as
sufficiently informative. The HD radio is not a choice I'm interested in.

Dean Wright,
I am deeply disappointed that you and your advisors have made the decision to
drop classical music from the current format on Classic 89. I have been a fan
and supporter of Classic 89 for both its news and music format since its
beginning. In fact, except for occasional AM Gator sports broadcasting, Classic
89 was the only radio station my wife and I listen to. I have frequently pointed
out to friends and business associates that one of the many benefits of living
in Gainesville was the classical music offered conveniently by the public
broadcasting station. Unless there is a change in this recent decision, I sadly
will not be able to say that in the future. Your decision has decreased my
respect for your judgment and understanding of the cultural and educational
value that public broadcasting brings to the Gainesville.
Unfortunately the movement of the music to a HD channel will make this valuable
and enjoyable part of Classic 89 unavailable to me and I believe most of its
past listening audience. I tuned into this station on any one of our three home
radios and two car radios. It is impractical to have only one HD radio for news
and classical music programming and uneconomical to purchase multiple HD radios
to replace our current home and car radios. So your decision to remove classical
music from analog broadcasting will cause UF public broadcasting to lose most of
my radio listening pleasure and I presume most of the other previous listeners
as well.
You claim that education in an important function of the radio communications
provided by the University radio stations. The educational element extended to
the listening audience is, I believe, at least as important as the training
element for the communication students of the University. Chance listeners to
the diverse format of Classic 89 were exposed to many educational as well as
entertaining features in the old format. Wouldn't it have been rewarding and
educational if they liked some of the music and music commentary they heard for
the first time and as a result tuned in again? This is particularly relevant to
the potential audience of 50,000 plus University students (probably without HD
radios). With the move to a HD site the chances of any general audience ever
being exposed to this musical format is lost forever. From what other
broadcasting element are those listeners likely to be offered the opportunity to
expand their view of musical diversity for no cost? Will they boot up their
computers to listen on streaming radio?
Most of the regular donors to Classic 89 accepted the fact that they were
supporting free listening to many others. Will your new listeners to the changed
news and talk show format be likely to donate to a public broadcasting station
when they can get their quick news and talk shows "kick" from commercial
stations?
I hope you will reconsider your decision to move classical music to HD radio. If
you don’t, Classic 89 “prepaid” donors would appreciate a better
explanation of the value to the station in both educational and financial terms
of making this move. The old Classic 89 was a wonderful and valuable PUBLIC
RADIO STATION to the Gainesville community.

An increase in informative talk radio is useful. However to cancel all music is
throwing the baby out with the bath water. No thoughtful person makes such a
move. Don't take the positon taken by the commercial stations " Here it is like
it or not."

How very sad that things have come to this. I received an outstanding education
in the telecommunications department (BS TEL '90). The experience that I gained
working at the various stations was so unique and varied--programming and
hosting jazz and blues shows, hosting classical programs, producing a local arts
program, running the traffic department at Classic 89, assisting with on-air
fundraising at both stations, assisting with the production of the evening
newscast at Channel 5, and being involved in a student-run morning show on Rock
104. Unfortunately, most of these opportunities are no longer available to
current and future students. I wonder what kind of impact this will have on
alumni giving in the future.

I am luckier than most. Most weeks I spend some hours in range of 90.7,
Orlando's proper FM station, with a considerable mix of classical
music.
If classical music is good enough for the land of Mickey Mouse, it's certainly
good enough for the great cultural area surrounding the University of
florida.
Bring back the music!

I think there was room for expansion of news and talk radio, but complete
elimination of the music programming on WUFT is misguided overkill. You dropped
the only jazz programming in this area and the wonderful Sat. night R&B
program for BBC news???? Ugghh. Consider soliciting the input of the listening
community before making such unilateral decisions on a listener-supported radio
station.

You had a great combination before but, many of us don't want talk programs all
day. I did support WUFT-FM financially in the past but, I can't with the
current format. It just isn't worth it to me.

I listen to classic 89 in my car all day (since 1974) as I am an RN for Shands
Home Care
I do not have a radio capable of receiving the satellite broadcast so I will no
longer be listening to WUFT I have also supported you financially in the past
but will no longer do so