Radio Beethoven celebrates 40 years on the air by reaching more cities in Chile

Within a few weeks, the station celebrated both broadcasting for four decades, and completing one year with Universidad Católica, which acquired it in January 2020. During these 12 months, the radio has not only increased its audience by 20% – 30% but has also started broadcasting in Villarrica and has concrete plans to expand to other cities.

In March 2021, Radio Beethoven, the only station that broadcasts classical music in Chile, celebrated 40 years on the air. A few weeks after, another anniversary took place: one year broadcasting with Universidad Católica, which acquired it in January 2020.

Both anniversaries find the radio busy with several projects. Recently, Beethoven FM started broadcasting in Villarrica, a southern city where the university has a campus focused on education. There are also advanced plans to expand to Valdivia and Osorno.

Club de Amigos

Another major initiative is the Club de Amigos (Friends Club) de Radio Beethoven, which brings together people that donate to the station on a monthly basis in order to support its financial sustainability. The club, which was launched in September 2020, is about to reach 1,000 members, and ongoing efforts are being conducted to increase this number. For instance, a video campaign on social media and via email is currently underway, in which renowned members invite other listeners to join the club. Their messages are also being broadcasted through the radio. In terms of the activities that have been organized for current friends of the radio, a few weeks ago Mr. Gonzalo Saavedra, a professor with UC School of Communication, member of the Board of Directors of the radio and music critic, met online with members of the club to talk about Igor Stravinsky, the Russian composer that changed the musical landscape of the 20th century. “Igor Stravinsky: cuatro momentos en la vida de un genio” [Igor Stravinsky: Four Moments in the Life of a Genius] was the name of the activity in which Mr. Saavedra went through four key moments of Stravinsky’s creative process. The lecture was followed by an open-mic conversation in which members of the club asked questions, made remarks, and in general shared their impressions with regards to the talk.