WMUK-FM in Kalamazoo, Mich., is changing its format to prioritize news and entertainment on its primary signal.
The station now airs a mix of classical music and news throughout the day on 102.1 FM. Beginning Monday, the station will air mostly news and entertainment programming on the signal. Jazz will continue to air overnight along with some music programming on the weekends.
The station decided to expand news programming on its strongest signal because an “overwhelming majority” of its audience tunes into Morning Edition and All Things Considered. “Many of those same listeners indicated a strong preference for news programming at middays as well,” according to an FAQ on the station’s website.
“Audience reports, surveys and focus group research showed that the majority of our listeners prefer and would like more news and information programming,” the FAQ said.
WMUK will add programs to its lineup including 1A, Fresh Air, On Point, The Daily and The Takeaway. It will also add This American Life, Radiolab, Milk Street Radio, A Way with Words and Live Wire.
The station will begin airing classical music on WKDS, another FM signal with a smaller reach. WMUK has been operating WKDS since December under a time brokerage agreement with owner Kalamazoo Public Schools, according to an FCC document. It will also air classical programming on an HD channel.
The station is adding Pittsburgh Symphony Radio, SymphonyCast, Pipedreams and Performance Today Weekend to its classical service.