Univision buys WQXR

The L.A.-based Spanish-language media giant, along with NY public radio station WNYC, will acquire the celebrated classical music station from the NYT. It's a complicated deal under which WQXR would trade places on the NY FM dial with Univision's much-weaker WCAA. Already this is raising concerns among WQXR's hard-core listeners about how strong the signal will be. Another potential challenge is that WQXR becomes a listener-supported station (commercial stations devoted to classical music are just about extinct). From the NYT:

WQXR is a major outlet for the Met's venerable Saturday afternoon broadcasts. "There would be a huge void if, in our home city, the international broadcasts were not heard," said Elena Park, the Met's assistant manager for editorial and creative content. Laura Walker, president and chief executive of WNYC, said those institutions have nothing to fear from the transition.

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The deal gives Univision a stronger signal and a coveted spot near the middle of the FM band for WCAA, reflecting the region's growing Hispanic population and the increasing prominence of Spanish broadcasting. WCAA's mix of talk and music includes the morning show of Luis Jimenez, one of the most popular Spanish-language radio hosts.

Univision agreed to pay the Times $33.5 million. WNYC buys the equipment and license, and the right to the WQXR call letters, for $11.5 million.