Boston-Area WCRB-FM Might Be Sold, But Trust Mandates That It Maintain a Classical Format in HD or Digital

The sale, should it take place, would carry the stipulation that the station continue to broadcast classical music on at least one alternative channel, such as high-definition or digital. This means that analog-radio listeners might lose the classical commercial station.

In the Boston area, classical music is also provided, although not in a 24-hour format, by the public station WGBH-FM and the Harvard station WHRB-FM.

WCRB-FM is under the governance of a trust, set up by former owner Theodore Jones, meant to maintain its classical format. The trust, however, is regarded more as a wish rather than a mandate. Mary L. Marshall, chair of Charles River Broadcasting, said, "[Jones] recognized that in the event that trustees felt the sale was financially advisable, the company could be sold, and he asked us to carefully consider the availability of classical music to Boston audiences."

The question of format, however, is still moot, as Charles River Broadcasting has not yet received an offer for the station and might not, in the end, sell it at all.

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