Eagan and Braude land at WGBH radio

[SixtiesGuy]

But the federal money isn't what makes up challenge grants. I have never heard that that Uncle Sam will match my donations if people give $10,000 before the end of the hour. Federal subsidies are just another revenue source. They are not some magical investment that increases other revenue sources. 1 federal dollar doesn't turn into $6.50. There is no return on investment.

Not that kind of challenge grant. And perhaps I could've been more clear: it is about economics, too, but it's about leveraging economics to then take advantage of psychology.

The federal government can, and does for arguably millions of business, give 1 federal dollar with the expectation that the business will use that dollar as part of an overall investment to become more successful financially. That financial success then translates back into increased tax revenue. So yes, in some cases 1 federal dollar does indeed turn into $6.50. Or more likely, something like $1.10 or $1.20...either way, a net positive.

The principle still holds for non-profits like public radio, albeit at a slightly more distant relationship: increased success by a non-profit probably means more employees paying payroll taxes and very likely means more consumer spending which is, of course, the driver of the entire US Economy. I'm not an economist so I can't spell out the exact connections but I think we can agree on the generic principle of the concept.

Now, the psychological aspect is tied to the base issue that nobody likes donating to a loser. Even a non-profit in dire straits, who desperately needs cash to stay afloat, will not fundraise on that platform because nobody will give. Why give to an organization that might go out of business and thus waste your gift? Instead, you fundraise based on a positive note: "we have this money and we can do a lot of good with it if you help support us today..."

That an overt way, and admittedly it's one that most public radio outlets have gotten away from because of the political climate. It's more effective to fundraise on a platform that listeners are chief source of funding, and that federal dollars are nowhere near enough to cover the costs.

That speaks more to the covert method, which is that you use those federal dollars as a way to pay for quality programming and personnel who then can be leveraged to raise more funds from other sources: corporate sponsorship, listener donations, private grants, etc. For example, you could argue that at RIPR, part of our CPB funding is helping pay for our fundraising consultants, who in turn help us execute better fund drives that net us more listener donations. (I'm not sure if the budget setup is actually like that or not at RIPR...I only see the budget for engineering and, to a limited extent, the budget as it pertains to applications for private grants for various engineering projects.)

Either way, public broadcasting, AFAIK, still comes out positive when it comes to leveraging federal funding to ultimately create enough success to provide positive ROI.

duplicate post - please delete (sorry)

 

[tvradiogeek]

this thread is getting out of control lol

 

[stevensonair]

"Because it is controlled by people of the same political and social persuasion as the mainstream media, who appear to be genetically incapable of a truly objective, agenda-free perspective."

The advertisers?

 

[jstone]

this thread is getting out of control lol

You're right - This thread is getting out of control!!!

Has anyone listened to E&B's new show and have a review? I've only listened briefly as it's not on at a convenient time for me.

 

[vmorrison]

"Because it is controlled by people of the same political and social persuasion as the mainstream media, who appear to be genetically incapable of a truly objective, agenda-free perspective."

The advertisers?

Oh please I thought this was one place I wouldn't be subjected to that mainstream clap trap. I am surprised you didn't go all out and say lamestream media.

I will say it again, the few pennies of my tax dollars that go to the CPB is one of the best uses of tax dollars. Each day I have tangible evidence on the return on the tiny investment US Citizens make to insure high quality broadcasting.

 

[stevensonair]

My point is actually people who complain about the "mainstream media" decry a "left wing bias" but don't seem to think anything of the possibility of a "corporate" or "sponsor" bias to not cover certain stories.

I support public broadcasting and I think the data (surveys done show listenership to NPR News programming split almost equally between Democrat, Republican and Independent) puts to rest the allegations that it's "biased."

 

[vmorrison]

My point is actually people who complain about the "mainstream media" decry a "left wing bias" but don't seem to think anything of the possibility of a "corporate" or "sponsor" bias to not cover certain stories.

I support public broadcasting and I think the data (surveys done show listenership to NPR News programming split almost equally between Democrat, Republican and Independent) puts to rest the allegations that it's "biased."

Good God My bad. Sorry I did not read the last line of your post. BTW I listen to E&B as often as I can and I think they sound perfect and I love not having to listen to the Gardner Mattress ads and the Dentist ads.

 

[TSBench]

I will say it again, the few pennies of my tax dollars that go to the CPB is one of the best uses of tax dollars.

Kinda funny how those few pennies add up to $450 million a year,

I will say it again...hows about you send those few pennies directly to your favorite NPR or PBS station, and cut out the middlemen (IRS, Congress, CPB.) A lot more efficient, I'd think. And that way, the broke USG doesn't get broker giving money to entities that don't need it.

Like you said, it's only a few pennies, so why would it be so hard for the stations to get those pennies directly from the folks who actually use the product? If you think it's one of the best uses of your tax dollars, you must think it would be one of the best uses of your discretionary non-tax dollars. You'd get a nice warm feeling for paying for something you use, earn a few Karma points and a tax deduction, and maybe score a Kingston Trio CD/DVD in the bargain.

Regards,
TSB

 

[scranton]

My point is actually people who complain about the "mainstream media" decry a "left wing bias" but don't seem to think anything of the possibility of a "corporate" or "sponsor" bias to not cover certain stories.

I support public broadcasting and I think the data (surveys done show listenership to NPR News programming split almost equally between Democrat, Republican and Independent) puts to rest the allegations that it's "biased."

Good God My bad. Sorry I did not read the last line of your post. BTW I listen to E&B as often as I can and I think they sound perfect and I love not having to listen to the Gardner Mattress ads and the Dentist ads.

governor patrick on T noon today, competing against bostonherald s livestream of howie from florida o. high noon the webcast

 

[SixtiesGuy]

My point is actually people who complain about the "mainstream media" decry a "left wing bias" but don't seem to think anything of the possibility of a "corporate" or "sponsor" bias to not cover certain stories.

I support public broadcasting and I think the data (surveys done show listenership to NPR News programming split almost equally between Democrat, Republican and Independent) puts to rest the allegations that it's "biased."

I oppose bias regardless of the source. I oppose it as much as I oppose people who become righteously indignant when their poorly disguised agendas are exposed.

That some unnamed studies may show Republicans, Independents, Democrats, Whigs and Monarchists listen to NPR is not proof that NPR is unbiased. Intelligent listeners who pay attention to what's being sent their way will know bias when it happens. It does happen, and in public broadcasting it's never in a conservative direction.

 

[pariho2013]

My point is actually people who complain about the "mainstream media" decry a "left wing bias" but don't seem to think anything of the possibility of a "corporate" or "sponsor" bias to not cover certain stories.

I support public broadcasting and I think the data (surveys done show listenership to NPR News programming split almost equally between Democrat, Republican and Independent) puts to rest the allegations that it's "biased."

Just because the 'listenership' is split does not mean NPR isn't biased! (Know thyne enemy, ect...)

 

[inorm99]

The Boston area is full of stupid, righty, reactionaries.


Now that I've gotten that off my chest, The Egan and Braude incarnation on GBH is a lot more
intellectually superior, and creatively independent than the WTKKK show

this thread is getting out of control lol

You're right - This thread is getting out of control!!!

Has anyone listened to E&B's new show and have a review? I've only listened briefly as it's not on at a convenient time for me.

 

[TSBench]

My point is actually people who complain about the "mainstream media" decry a "left wing bias" but don't seem to think anything of the possibility of a "corporate" or "sponsor" bias to not cover certain stories.

I think the reasoning goes like this....

WXXX gets a $100 a week from Pablo's Pizza and Taco shop, and therefore will spike any story opining that pizza and tacos aren't exactly health food.

CPB and its members get $450 million from the Feds, but would never spike, or skew, a story that was critical of their congressional sponors responsible of bringing home the bacon.

Kinda makes Caesar's wife look like the happy hooker.

Regards,
TSB

 

[dyeingeye]

I will say it again, the few pennies of my tax dollars that go to the CPB is one of the best uses of tax dollars. Each day I have tangible evidence on the return on the tiny investment US Citizens make to insure high quality broadcasting.

It's only one of the best uses because you say so. And nobody on this thread has proved that the federal money is necessary for the continued existence of public broadcasting.

 

[pariho2013]

The Boston area is full of stupid, righty, reactionaries.


Now that I've gotten that off my chest, The Egan and Braude incarnation on GBH is a lot more
intellectually superior, and creatively independent than the WTKKK show

this thread is getting out of control lol

You're right - This thread is getting out of control!!!

Has anyone listened to E&B's new show and have a review? I've only listened briefly as it's not on at a convenient time for me.

Really? WTKKK? Whose the 'off the cliff' person here....There is AT LEAST 1 Loony Lefty for every Right Ringer and in the Peoples Republic of Taxachusetts, I'd say even more!

 

[SixtiesGuy]

The Boston area is full of stupid, righty, reactionaries.


Now that I've gotten that off my chest, The Egan and Braude incarnation on GBH is a lot more
intellectually superior, and creatively independent than the WTKKK show

this thread is getting out of control lol

I think your comments are even a lot more intellectually superior. They're the most intellectually superiorest. Obviously you are one of the Boston area's intelligent, lefty progressives.

 

[raccoonradio]

I like the Herald commenter who said that given the voters and media in Boston and how they
stand, the actual "alternative newspaper" should really be... the Herald (alternative view to
what is readily prevalent)

 

[vmorrison]

I like the Herald commenter who said that given the voters and media in Boston and how they
stand, the actual "alternative newspaper" should really be... the Herald (alternative view to
what is readily prevalent)

I like how you took a previous comment on the Herald who said the same thing changed their words around a bit and posted the same comment on the Herald website. You actually subscribe to the Herald and don't do what most people do and read it online for free or stop by your local mall food court around 11am and pick up one of the dozens of copies that the WWII guys leave behind before they go home in their Crown Vics to watch Matlock.

 

[scranton]

E and b have the same show and guests from the wtkk show :-X. Calie crossleys friday one pm show has been spun off into sunday nites under the radar. Kara miller has fell off the map

 

[TSBench]

The Boston area is full of stupid, righty, reactionaries.

We must run in different circle. In my 60-plus years in Boston, I think I can count on one hand the number of true "reactionaries" I've actually known, or even met. That said, there ARE a lot of 'progressives' who consider anyone to the right of Rachel Maddow a rightwing bombthrower who drowns kittens for a hobby.

Of course, I have known, or met, a lot of folks who are either a little shakey on the meaning of the words they use or are given to hyperbole. I'm sure neither of these descriptions apply to you.

Regards
TSB