Dallas City Council to vote on KERA contract to manage local classical music radio station
A new partnership between KERA and the City of Dallas is expected to keep classical music on radios this summer.
KERA and the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture are in the final confirmation process in signing off a contract for the classical music station WRR 101.1 FM, which is the first licensed broadcast station in Texas. The agreement between the radio broadcaster and City of Dallas will ensure that the station remains local, owned by the City of Dallas and transmitted from Fair Park studios, but operated by KERA.
“WRR is a beloved station in the Dallas and North Texas community,” said Sylvia Komatsu, KERA’s chief content and diversity officer, in a news release. “We are thrilled at the opportunity to deepen our shared commitment to the arts and classical music in North Texas, and together engage with previously underrepresented communities in the classical space.”
The news release said that KERA had submitted a proposal to manage the station and has now finalized a proposed contract with the City of Dallas. The contract will be voted on by the Dallas City Council in June.
“KERA is honored to be considered to manage WRR and deepen its commitment to classical music,” President & CEO of KERA Nico Leone said. “Together we can help WRR grow and serve diverse audiences in Dallas and across North Texas, ensuring WRR’s sustainability for generations to come.”
KERA, which has broadcast in North Texas for over six decades, said that it’s “well positioned to build on the success that WRR has achieved in its incredible 101-year history.”
“Together, WRR and KERA will continue in their shared goal of expanding arts and classical music programming in North Texas and beyond,” the news release said.
This story was originally published May 14, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
