As a media columnist and occasional classical-music listener, I'm intrigued by WGBH's newly announced purchase of WCRB--apparently for the not-insubstantial sum of $14 million.

I was struck, though, by the Globe's description of how WGBH plans to pay for its $14 million acquisition. Writes Megan Woolhouse:

Beat the Press blogger Ralph Ranalli notes an interesting contradiction regarding the ongoing Times Co.-Boston Newspaper Guild negotiations:

My question is this: Since the imposition of the 23 percent wage cut was based on the Times claim of a bargaining "impasse," how Times officials be participating in marathon bargaining sessions yet asserting an impasse at the same time? Someone help me with this.

Friday night plans? Not too late to change 'em! I'll be on the weekly "Beat the Press" segment of Greater Boston tonight, discussing the latest Globe funkiness; coverage of killer swine flu and the related suspension of world-class anti-Mexican Jay Severin; and John Henry and Linda Pizzuti's...candor. Please tune in, or watch online at your leisure.

Big Friday-night plans?

If not--or perhaps as a pre-party!--consider watching Greater Boston's Beat the Press, at 7 pm on Channel 2. Emily Rooney, Dan Kennedy, Joe Sciacca, Callie Crossley, and yours truly will be discussing sundry media topics, including Barack Obama's upcoming prime-time infomercial and fact-checkers gone wild.