Radio: Chicago's WFMT

U.S. listeners seem willing to spend their own money for only one sort of radio program—serious music. Last December, after two weeks of playing classical recordings, Chicago's FM station WFMT nervously appealed for funds to stay on the air. The station's one phone didn't stop ringing all evening. Eleven thousand dollars was contributed by WFMT's minute audience. Two volunteers turned up to paint the studio—a converted hotel ballroom—while others independently went out in search of sponsors.

This week Station Owners Bernie and Rita Jacobs announced that WFMT was operating in the black. Seven...