Syracuse Radio: WAER Adding More News, Less Music

Eric Cohen (Post-Standard)

Starting Monday, June 30, WAER 88.3 FM will eliminate its daytime jazz programming to make room for more news content, according to syracuse.com.

The station will feature syndicated news programs throughout the day and jazz programming in the evening with longtime host Eric Cohen. Cohen currently hosts afternoon jazz from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays. He will now be on air from 8-11 p.m.

"We don't consider it a format change," said program director Joe Lee. "We're simply getting rid of the awkward news-to-music-to-news-to-music and going to just news to music."

The change, Lee said, comes in response to research that shows an "increased demand for news and information" as well as "less listening to the music programs."

Much of the station's current afternoon and evening programming -- "All Things Considered," "Marketplace" and "Fresh Air" -- will remain the same. The new programs include "BBC Newshour," "On Point," "Here and Now," "The Takeaway" and "The World." Morning and afternoon jazz will be eliminated.

WAER is licensed, owned and operated by Syracuse University. The station uses a mixed format of music and news. Cohen has been hosting the afternoon jazz program for about 18 years.