Chicago-based FM radio station, Vocalo, has announced that it will be ceasing its terrestrial broadcast due to funding cuts from parent organisation, Chicago Public Media (CPM). The station will continue to offer a limited programme via Vocalo’s website and app and the remaining team will create content under WBEZ Chicago’s arts and culture initiative. Vocalo Radio has been in operation since 2007, with a remit to publicise local house, jazz, footwork, drill, funk and hip hop, and has been attributed with having aided in the rise of the city’s homegrown stars including Chance The Rapper, Smino, Jamila Woods, and Ric Wilson.
WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times are independent newsrooms and non-profit organisations, headquartered in Chicago. Chicago Public Media is the parent company for both newsrooms. While Vocalo is going to stop its terrestrial broadcast on 1 May, the company’s website and app will retain its limited programming service while content will be created by the remnants of Vocalo’s team for WBEZ’s Chicago arts and culture projects.
Reports suggest that CPM will terminate nearly 15% of its 62 unionised content creators’ positions. Several layoffs were made in CPM this month owing to the parent company’s worsening financial position. The cuts will have a significant impact on WBEZ’s podcasts infrastructure, with Nerdette, Making and When Magic Happens all being discontinued, according to The Chicago Sun-Times.
According to Vocalo station, the said company “is still committed to uplifting our Chicago music and arts community as best we can”. An online fundraising campaign has been initiated to provide financial assistance to the affected employees, and at the time of writing, the page has raised $18,033 of its $2,700 target
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