Proposal for new management could mean end of WRR 101.1 FM’s classical music

Megan Cardona
·1 min read

Radio station WRR 101.1 FM could be losing its classical music format.

According to the Friends of WRR website, depleting financial reserves along with a request for a proposal of new management by the city of Dallas might mean the station, which has played classical music for 57 years, could change its music format.

This year marked 100 years since WRR was licensed. It was the first licensed broadcast station in Texas and one of the nation’s five inaugural stations.

WRR is owned by Dallas and operates on a self-supporting government fund that sells advertising and sponsorships to generate revenue to cover expenses. In the past, the Friends of WRR said excess revenue was given to the Office of Arts & Culture’s Arts Endowment to support small and midsize arts organizations.

Between 2010-13, $7.2 million was taken from the fund to support other aspects of the Dallas city budget and the lost funds have never been fully restored, according to Friends of WRR website.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a down year for the commercial radio industry, and the station has been charged with being unsustainable such that a request for proposal on new management has been issued by the city.

Friends of WRR said the request for proposal does not require the new manager to keep the station’s classical format.

Those interested in helping the station are asked to sign up for WRR’s newsletter, which can be found on the homepage of friendsofwrr.org. Financial support to the station can be made on the same website under the “Become a Friend“ tab.