Classical music takes a bow to talk > Opera program leaves Maine Public Radio schedule

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BANGOR – Beginning Dec. 2, Mozart and his classical cohorts will be missing from Maine Public Radio’s afternon offerings.

While the classical music won’t be replaced by screaming guitars or ranting political commentators, the changes are geared to an audience increasingly dominated by baby boomers that wants something different, according to Charles Beck, Maine Public Radio’s vice president for radio services.

The station will offer a new programming schedule to reach out to listeners who, research has shown, are turning elsewhere in the weekly afternoon slots. For years, the afternoon slots have been filled with mostly classical music. But more recently, the classical music is being abandoned by some listeners in favor of talk radio or other formats on other stations, according to Beck.

Beck said Wednesday that Maine Public Radio had to respond to that drop with new programming. While the changes might not sit well with everyone, he said, they are aimed at addressing a real problem.

Maine Public Radio estimates that 125,000 people listen at least once each week. The station, which simulcasts at several frequencies around Maine, boasts 21,000 members, listeners who donate money to the nonprofit broadcaster.

“Our loyalty has been down in the afternoon for a number of years,” Beck said. “We’re trying to improve our overall schedule,” he said of the changes.

On weekday afternoons, the classical-music block had already shrunk to two hours – from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – as the news and lecture offerings were expanded during midday and evening.

“All Things Considered,” the National Public Radio-produced news program, begins airing at 4 p.m. and continues until 5:30 p.m., when the locally produced “Maine Things Considered” takes over.

Beginning next month, classical music will disappear altogether from the weekday afternoon schedule. Host Dave Bunker will still produce his classical music show from 8:30 a.m. to noon weekdays.

In place of the music, the station is offering what Beck calls discussion-type shows: at 2 p.m., “Talk of the Nation,” and at 3 p.m., “The Connection.” “Talk of the Nation” is a live show produced by NPR exploring national and international issues with guests and callers. The show actually runs for two hours, but just the first hour will be carried.

“The Connection” is produced by WBUR in Boston with host Christopher Lydon, and is also discussion-oriented.

“We offer the news, and we offer the hour-long speeches,” Beck said of current programming, “but we don’t really have a forum where people can discuss one issue.” “Talk of the Nation” and “The Connection” are seen as a means of filling this gap.

While critics might say, “I can hear talk radio anywhere,” Beck said the new shows vary from the fare found on commercial radio, which usually represents a particular political viewpoint.

Friday’s “Down Memory Lane,” produced by MPR’s Toby LeBoutillier, will be moved to 10 p.m. Sundays to accommodate the changes.

Change is also on tap for weekend programming. Beck said that in the last few years, National Public Radio and Public Radio International, which produce programs that are syndicated around the country, have consciously worked at developing shows that are geared for weekends.

People are in a different mode during the weekend, he explained, and expect that difference to be reflected in what they listen to on the radio. Accordingly, Maine Public Radio has been carrying “Car Talk” on Saturday mornings and the offbeat quiz show “Whad’ Ya Know?” with Michael Feldman through noon.

Starting next month, the full two hours of “Whad’ Ya Know?” will be carried, taking the program to 1 p.m. That displaces “Living On Earth,” which will find a new home at 7 p.m. Fridays.

“Whad’ Ya Know?” will be followed at 1 p.m. by “American Routes,” with Nick Spitzer as host. Beck said “American Routes” is one of public radio’s fastest-growing programs. He describes Spitzer as a folklorist, who explores the connecting themes in music from such diverse genres as blues, jazz, zydeco and the roots of rock ‘n’ roll.

At 3 p.m., a new show from California, “Sounds Eclectic,” features new music that Beck describes as “a little more edgy” than the popular “The World Cafe.” At 4 p.m., it’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” a light, comic quiz show of current events.

To make room for the new Saturday afternoon schedule, the station is dropping “Live From The Metropolitan Opera.” Research found that the show had a loyal but small audience in Maine. Beck said his station wanted to play the show at a different time, but the Metropolitan Opera in New York would not agree.

The same program is aired on WBACH, a commercial classical station that can be heard in southern, midcoast and parts of Down East Maine as well as in the greater Bangor area, Beck noted.

The question that Maine Public Radio faced, Beck said, was, “Is it the best use of our air time?” and opted to air shows believed to have greater appeal.

Sundays will be revamped to feature “Weekend Edition” from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by the weekend version of the popular interview show “Fresh Air.” The weekend version, Beck said, features interviews aired during the previous week.

At 11 a.m., a very new and rather unusual program, “Satellite Sisters,” airs. Beck said the show features five sisters, four of whom live throughout the United States and one in Thailand, who talk to each other, with guests asking questions.

“We’re giving it a try,” Beck said.

“Schickele Mix” moves to 11 a.m. Fridays. Sunday afternoon’s schedule remains intact, with a rebroadcast of “A Prairie Home Companion” at noon, “The World Cafe” at 2 p.m., and a rebroadcast of “Car Talk” at 4 p.m.

Even before the changes have occurred, Beck has heard complaints from listeners. But he also has received letters of congratulations.

Beck compares public radio to a public library. While no one would want to read every book in the library, most are glad the institution is there, he said. Not everyone will like all the new programs, but Beck and his colleagues hope the changes will keep the station vital for listeners.

The goal is not to find programs that appeal to large numbers of listeners – a lowest common denominator – but to offer a varied menu from which the audience can choose quality shows, Beck said.