KCRW and Santa Barbara Foundation Announce KDB Acquisition

A Broader Footprint

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE Triple A-News KCRW/SANTA MONICA-LOS ANGELES announced TODAY (2/18) that it is buying Classical KDB/SANTA BARBARA from THE SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION (PACIFIC BROADCASTING).  The price is reportedly about $1 million.  In the deal, the Classical programming of UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA noncommercial Classical KUSC/LOS ANGELES will move in SANTA BARBARA from its present home at 88.7 FM (KQSC) to KDB's 93.7 slot, preserving the Classical format on that frequency while KCRW's programming will be simulcast on the KQSC 88.7 frequency.

As part of the changes, KQSC will move onto the campus of ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY, where KCRW will originate local inserts for NPR's "MORNING EDITION" and "ALL THINGS CONSIDERED."  The station will also offer opportunities for student internships, and the SANTA BARBARA editions of the news shows will be produced in partnership with the weekly SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT.

JENNIFER FERRO, Pres./GM of KCRW, said, “This opportunity is very exciting.  SANTA BARBARA is a natural home for KCRW. We’ve partnered with SANTA BARBARA institutions for years on music and culture initiatives.  It has all the elements that have made KCRW a success in LOS ANGELES – a diverse and intelligent population interested in arts and culture who are passionate about their local community.  We believe we can further amplify the voices of SANTA BARBARA in a unique and compelling way.”

SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION Pres./CEO RON GALLO said, “At the SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION, philanthropy is the starting point for being high impact on community issues.  With the transition to the ‘new KDB,’ we were able to keep classical music alive while enhancing and expanding the variety of musical programming offered in SANTA BARBARA.”

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