The theory that WDET is working on is the same that a number of non-com's have used in recent years. It is easier to build ONE audience that remains loyal to the entire format. WFUV in NYC is an example. A few years ago they cut loose a number of programs, including a polka show that had run for decades.   Same principle. They developed a format they called "City Folk" that is simply a disguised AAA format. They have built a large audience, one that identifies with the station as a whole.    The station I volunteer for, WFDU, maintains the alternate approach where we maintain specialty shows with individual audiences. Stations like ours depends on every show pulling their weight.

It is much easier for a station to maintain and build an audience that knows they can tune in any hour of the day and know what they will hear. With specialty-type programs, each day, sometimes each hour, will sound different and have separate audiences.

So why should it matter? As everyone knows, public radio exists to serve audiences that cannot find this type of programming elsewhere on the dial.   As with most things in life, it comes down to money. Underwriters tend to put their money where they know they will reach the largest audience.   Underwriters are similar in concept to commercials. An underwriter wants the audience to know they are supporting the program you are listening to in the same way a commercial reaches its audience.   When an underwriter donates to a specific program on a specialty station, their audience is limited. When they donate to a AAR type public station, they know they will be heard by a wider variety of people. It is simply - more bang for their buck. For the non-coms that continue to program specialty shows, the job just becomes that much harder.

I do not agree with the concept. Yes, in principle it works, but in the long run it defeats the purpose of public radio as I know it.