The Detroit Public School system has sold Classical/Jazz 90.9 WRCJ-FM Detroit to Detroit Classical and Jazz Educational Radio LLC for $6 million.
The deal is structured to enable the station to continue to be operated by Detroit Public Television. Detroit Classical and Jazz Educational Radio LLC is fully owned by the Stanley and Judith Frankel Family Foundation, who will enter into a Public Service Operating Agreement to allow Detroit Public Television to operate the station for ten years. Detroit Public Television has been managing WRCJ-FM on behalf of Detroit Public Schools.
The state of Michigan legislature had voted in July 2016 to dissolve Detroit Public Schools and replace it with a new entity. The sale of WRCJ will go towards paying back debt owed by the school district. Detroit Public Television, owners of WTVS, began operating WRCJ-FM in August 2005. That is when the former WDTR began its current mix of Classical from 5am to 7pm and Jazz at night.