For Immediate Release:
May 10, 2007
WFMT Radio Network to Syndicate The Bucksbaum Family Lyric Opera of Chicago Broadcasts to 290 Markets
Local Broadcasts on 98.7WFMT begin Saturday, May 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Chicago, IL – New radio carriage figures released
today by the WFMT Radio Network show that The Bucksbaum
Family Lyric Opera Broadcasts will air in 290 domestic
radio markets in addition to international markets served
by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the European
Broadcasting Union when it starts airing this week.
The series, rebroadcasts of performances from the 2006-07
season, begins airing this week with Giacomo Puccini’s
Turandot.
The Bucksbaum Family Lyric Opera Broadcast series will be
heard in the country’s largest markets including WQXR in
New York, KMZT in Los Angeles and KUSF in San Francisco.
The series will also air on XM Satellite Radio channel 112.
“I'm absolutely delighted with the reaction this opera
series has received and the sheer number of radio stations
that will be carrying it,” said WFMT Radio Network Senior
Vice President Steve Robinson. “The Lyric Opera of Chicago,
with a generous grant from The Matthew and John Bucksbaum
Families and General Growth Properties with matching funds
in 2006-07 from Richard P. and Susan Kiphart, helped
create the unprecedented 30-week opera season the WFMT
Radio Network put together for 2007. With Lyric leading
the way, the fact that station carriage in the
United States, Canada and Europe is so high bodes well for
future seasons.”
After a successful series of live opening-night local
broadcasts that began in October, national audiences will
soon also be able to enjoy the programs, which are hosted
by WFMT’s Norman Pellegrini, Lisa Flynn, and Lois Baum and
produced by Peter Whorf.
The broadcasts will reach a total audience of more than
20 million listeners. Following The Bucksbaum Family
Lyric Opera Broadcasts, the WFMT Radio Network will
syndicate Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera and San
Francisco Opera broadcasts before the Metropolitan Opera
broadcasts resume in December.
For more information about Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons,
please visit www.lyricopera.org.
More information about 98.7WFMT and 98.7WFMT Streaming
is available at www.wfmt.com.
About 98.7WFMT
98.7WFMT, Chicago's Classical Experience, provides the
best and broadest selection of classical music and fine
arts programming heard in the country. A broadcasting
force for more than 55 years, the station's appeal
continues to widen. 98.7WFMT is currently serving the
largest audience in its history.
WFMT Media Contact:
Holly H. Gilson
98.7WFMT and the WFMT Radio Network
(773) 509-5424
WFMT Contact:
David Polk
98.7WFMT and the WFMT Radio Network
(773) 279-2011
