But in January 1987, when the first radio ratings since WJHU joined the airwaves came out, the new ratings showed that WBJC had not been overrun by the new station. In fact, it had actually increased its listening audience by 15 percent since WJHU's arrival.
Cary Smith, general manager at WBJC, said he had known for some time that WJHU was considering changing its format. And he sees it as a positive move for Baltimore's public radio audience.
"I think it will provide, overall, a better service for public radio listeners in the Baltimore area," he said. "They'll have more of a choice, a range of programming on the other station as well as classical music from WBJC.
"I think that classical music that was being provided on WJHU did not seem to attract as large an audience as they had hoped and these new offerings will probably have better hope of doing well for them."
He said WBJC has no plans to change its format.
"We've been very successful over the last eight years or so with presenting almost completely classical music format. Baltimore will still be one of the very few markets in the country that has a full-time classical music station."
NEW FOR WJHU-FM
WJHU-FM's new weekday format is as follows:
5 a.m.: BBC Newsdesk and Outlook Magazine.
6 a.m.-10 a.m.: Morning Edition with Bob Edwards and Ted Olson.
10 a.m.-noon: Diane Rehm show.
Noon-1 p.m.: Monitor Radio Midday Edition.
1 p.m.-2 p.m.: BBC Newshour.
2 p.m.-3 p.m.: Monitor Radio Midday Edition.
3 p.m.-5 p.m.: Fresh Air with Terry Gross.
5 p.m.-7 p.m.: All Things Considered.
7 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Marketplace.
7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: The Marc Steiner Show. In the fall, his show will be slotted in the middle of the day.
8:30 p.m.-midnight: Jazz with Andy Bienstock.
