Santa Barbara’s KDB Classical to Become a Public Radio Station

Santa Barbara Foundation is selling KDB 93.7 FM to KCRW, a leading National Public Radio affiliate. KCRW will then swap KDB for KUSC’s 88.7 signal. KUSC will continue the great tradition of classical music on 93.7, while KCRW will be able to offer its hybrid format of music genres, news and cultural programming to the Santa Barbara community. Through a local strategic partnership with Santa Barbara’s Antioch University, KCRW will receive studio space in exchange for providing students with career experience in broadcasting and storytelling. Public Radio Capital represented the Santa Barbara Foundation in discussions and negotiations with KCRW, KUSC and other groups interested in KDB.  In a recent Current article, PRC’s Managing Director Marc Hand commented, “This is really a perfect outcome. If there hadn’t been a suitable option from a noncommercial broadcaster, then it would have opened up for commercial buyers.”

Read Current article: KCRW, KUSC pair up to secure Santa Barbara’s KDB for pubradio

Read Santa Barbara Foundation press release: Foundation Announces the “New KDB”