Douridas
An FM signal in Santa Barbara, Calif., recently acquired by KCRW, became the first broadcast home this week for Eclectic24, a previously web-only music stream produced by the Santa Monica–based station.
KCRW broadcasts on two signals in the market and is using its former repeater at 106.9 FM as the first over-the-air outlet for Eclectic24. Since June, the station has also been simulcasting its Santa Monica station’s programming on 88.7 FM in Santa Barbara, which it purchased earlier this year.
“We’ve never had the opportunity to do an all-music station in L.A., so when this opportunity came up, we grabbed it,” KCRW General Manager Jennifer Ferro said in an email. “It’s always a good thing to have so much programming to share.”
If it proves successful, Eclectic24 might appear on other signals, Ferro said. “If other opportunities arise, then we’ll be sure to explore this as an option,” she said.
Eclectic24 is curated by Chris Douridas, a former KCRW music director who hosts a show on the station. The 24-hour music stream features in-studio performances and music selected by KCRW hosts.
In a deal announced Feb. 18, KCRW bought KDB, a commercial classical station for 88 years broadcasting at 93.7 FM. In the frequency swap, all-classical KUSC moved to the channel and transferred its 88.7 FM signal in Santa Barbara to KCRW. KCRW is using the 88.7 frequency as an outlet for its dual format of news and contemporary music, with localized content within NPR newsmagazines.