Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!

[TheBigA]

The public broadcasting versions of those shows are the ones about how to increase brain power with Dr. Amen, Suzy Oreman, or the various other self-help info-mercials. They run on the TV channel now. I'm sure they can air on radio too.

 

[Philip_Airtime]

I wouldn't sound the death knell for public radio or radio in general just yet. I'm hearing that AT&T, as an example, is cracking down on the unlimited data plans for smart phones. I haven't really studied the issue. But my son tells me to hold onto my unlimited data plan because AT&T doesn't have the bandwidth to handle the demand being placed on their system. He tells me they're going to start charging for data usage in new accounts. Mine, fortunately, will be grandfathered. But how long will that continue? Perhaps someone with more knowledge can chime in here. But if true, this could be radio's saving grace. IT'S FREE! There are no bandwidth problems. You turn it on and hear content. I don't know. Maybe I'm being a Pollyanna. But someone needs to tell me. Even now, why would I want to listen to Morning Edition on my iPhone in the car when I can get it in clear stereophonic sound on my car radio? And even if Internet radio is developed for cars in the next five years, will the infrastructure be in place to service that demand? I'm just asking. But I think it's a fair question. Are listeners really going to pay extra fees to an Internet service provider, AT&T or whomever to hear their favorite public radio programs -- or any radio program -- when all they have to do is turn on the radio and hear them for free? Keep in mind just one in ten public radio listener gives to their public station. All I know is that I am maxed out on what I'm willing to pay for cell phone, mobile Internet, home Internet, cable and land-line phone. No more toys for me. If AT&T ever starts charging me more, I cancel! No satellite radio for me. No extra charges to hear the Internet in my car. The roughly $300 I pay each month for three cell phones, including a texting and data plan, and for cable TV, home Internet and telephone is enough! I can't be alone here, can I? Radio is free! It's convenient. One touch of a button, and it's on. Maybe, someday, today's 20 year-olds will be stunned to learn there is a service called radio that they can tap for free! They can get music, news, sports and talk FOR FREE and without a monthly charge or an expensive piece of equipment! Yes, we all love our toys. I check my Blackberry constantly for my latest emails, texts, Facebook status updates and the latest from the Buffalo News. So, I'm not a luddite. But I can count on one finger the number of times I've used it for audio or video. Yeah, perhaps younger people do use their mobile devices to watch You Tube or hear their favorite song. But there will come a point when they will say, ENOUGH, especially if there is a crackdown on unlimited data plans! They're gonna say, "I can't afford it!" Somehow, I think radio going to survive!

 

[Element9]

Sweet irony. Radio... saved by recession or worse, a potential depression. Brother, can you spare a radio.

 

[Lee Rust]

Yes, the most likely development that will keep old-fashioned broadcast radio alive will be the growing inability or reluctance of the average person to keep paying for the internet or cellular access that make the new media technologies possible. Maybe future presidents will have to resort to giving 'fireside chats' once again.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

In summation, when we hear WBFO and/or WNED-AM airing Colon Blow or Dr. Bombast's Mega Vitamin B Supplement shows on Saturday morning, we'll know it's over.

Or even worse radio listeners will hear more pledge drives lamenting how poor the station is.

Jim since you come from the Buffalo market do you remember the scandal years ago when a public station tried that " woe is me" tactic by telling their audience that programs would be cut if they didn't pledge only to have it discovered by an enterprising reporter in a Buffalo newspaper that this same public broadcasting operation was sitting on millions of dollars? And before Bob1370 or the BigA jump in, this money was not allocated for any special projects, or was it meant for reserve funds. That money could have been used to help the station get through its fiscal year; so basically the pledge hosts were lying to the public about the station's fiscal condition and they got caught.

This isn't the first, nor has it been the last time some public stations have used this tactic.

Unfortunately the local newspaper in Rochester will never attempt to look into or publish the local public broadcasting operation's expenses, finances, nor big salaries paid to its top executives, because the paper and the TV/radio station are "in bed" with each other.

Bob1370 will defend public broadcasting because that is where his paycheck comes from. Fine and dandy. I'm not about to take the food off someone's table. But notice everyone he is silent when I bring up the point of the big salaries his bosses are pulling down.

Instead of cutting staff, why not cut some of those salaries and perks the big shots make if the station is in such dire straits? At my company we had to lay off good hard-working people with families because of the economy, plus our CEO and some top executives forgo any raises or bonuses. That's not what happened at Bob1370's place of work. In fact it was quite the opposite.

Why not tell readers here Bob1370 how many times employees at your station did not get raises after being told the budget was tight. Yet not only did your executives get twice the normal percentage of raises regular employees normally received, but also nice fat bonuses when everyone else, including yourself, received nothing.

 

[TheBigA]

And before Bob1370 or the BigA jump in,

That reminds me...I'm still waiting for proof that taxpayer money was used for executive salaries.

You make a lot of accusations without any proof. That hurts your credibility.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

I'm still waiting for proof that taxpayer money was used for executive salaries.
You make a lot of accusations without any proof. That hurts your credibility.

You want proof about the salaries paid to top executives check out the station's 990 tax form, which while outdated, is listed on the station's website.

You want proof that taxpayer money is used for executive salaries; do the math. Radio has three fundraising drives a year, while TV also has three. The average amount raised for each drive is around $125,000. $125,000 x 6=$750,000. The CEO alone makes over $300,000 while the top five executives; station manager, radio & TV vice presidents, Chief Engineer, and Comptroller, make over a million a year total. So where is the extra money coming from to pay those salaries?

It's not just from fundraising; as proven by the figures I just provided. It isn't coming out of the station's emergency fund balance; since the 990 tax forms shows a similar amount of money allocated for the station each fiscal year. And according to you, it can't come from taxpayer dollars because that money is supposed to be designated for certain budgetary items.

So please enlighten us as to where the station get the extra cash to pay their executives? Well here's the answer. Grant monies, even for those programs being funded for a short period of time, can include salaries for those certain programs funded. And where do these grant monies come from?

Most of them NPR or PBS ( meaning taxpayer dollars).

 

[TheBigA]

So where is the extra money coming from to pay those salaries?

At the stations I ran, most of the money came from corporate grants. That's where the big money comes from, not listener donations. Pacifica runs on listener donations, and they have mostly a volunteer staff. I don't think a major public radio station can run simply on donations. You need to hit the big corporations. That's why you pay an exec a big salary, because he's then more likely to run in those circles.

You see the names of the funders on the screen after every program. Watch and learn.

And where do these grant monies come from?

Most of them NPR or PBS ( meaning taxpayer dollars).

You have a lot of opinions and not a lot of knowledge. NPR and PBS haven't been funded by taxpayer dollars since the early 80s. We keep trying to tell you that. They too get a lot of corporate underwriting. That is the main source for non-profit funding, whether you're talking radio, symphonies, or charities. If you're not tapping into corporate giving, you're in trouble, because the federal funding thing is over.

Right now, stations are sending money to NPR and PBS, not the other way around. Rather than invent stories to suit your opinions, you would benefit from actually learning how things work. Maybe listening to the people who work there, rather than telling them how little you know.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

At the stations I ran, most of the money came from corporate grants. That's where the big money comes from, not listener donations. Pacifica runs on listener donations, and they have mostly a volunteer staff. I don't think a major public radio station can run simply on donations. You need to hit the big corporations. That's why you pay an exec a big salary, because he's then more likely to run in those circles.

Who cares what Pacifica does? I am talking about a public station in Rochester New York. Stick with the subject matter. As for this executive's salary, being in management yourself of course you are going to defend paying someone running a non-profit for big bucks.

You have a lot of opinions and not a lot of knowledge. NPR and PBS haven't been funded by taxpayer dollars since the early 80s. We keep trying to tell you that. They too get a lot of corporate underwriting. That is the main source for non-profit funding, whether you're talking radio, symphonies, or charities. If you're not tapping into corporate giving, you're in trouble, because the federal funding thing is over.

[I have more knowledge about the operations of non-profits than you will ever understand. And enough with the baloney about federal funding is over with. Pub-stations still get federal and state dollars and you know it. Only some local governments have zeroed out funding for public stations because they don't have, or desire to spend taxpayer dollars./

Right now, stations are sending money to NPR and PBS, not the other way around. Rather than invent stories to suit your opinions, you would benefit from actually learning how things work. Maybe listening to the people who work there, rather than telling them how little you know.

Then explain how WXXI received funding from NPR for this so-called 'interactive media program' along with hiring additional staff to operate it? Where did that funding come from?

 

[TheBigA]

The subject matter is how much of the executive's salary comes from taxpayer money. You don't know. I can tell you that every dollar of taxpayer money has to be accounted for. So unless you have actual knowledge that taxpayer money is being used for executive salaries, and unless you can show me how much, you're just a waste of my time. I don't have to defend myself or what I've done to you. I've explained very clearly where their money comes from, and you dismissed it because it didn't fit your agenda.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

The subject matter is how much of the executive's salary comes from taxpayer money. You don't know. I can tell you that every dollar of taxpayer money has to be accounted for. So unless you have actual knowledge that taxpayer money is being used for executive salaries, and unless you can show me how much, you're just a waste of my time. I don't have to defend myself or what I've done to you. I've explained very clearly where their money comes from, and you dismissed it because it didn't fit your agenda.

My God man (or woman) I just explained to you the three options a public station has to either raise or receive money. Fundraising is out because not enough cash is raised to pay for those executive salaries. Itemized funding is only available for certain programs. So that leaves taxpayer dollars.

You're wasting my time trying to answer your question, so tell you what: You explain for this uneducated soul where does the money come from for executive salaries, AND the salaries for the rest of the staff?

And while you are answering that question, give me your honest opinion why some, not all, but some CEO's other top executives at public broadcasting stations, and other non profits, have to make six-figure salaries and get perks like new cars?

Since you claim to have run a station in the past, and if you were making $300,00 a year, wouldn't you buy your own car and save the station money? I sure would, especially if it benefited the station, or saved someone's job.

 

[TheBigA]

My God man (or woman) I just explained to you the three options a public station has to either raise or receive money. Fundraising is out because not enough cash is raised to pay for those executive salaries. Itemized funding is only available for certain programs. So that leaves taxpayer dollars.

Where is corporate funding? Corporate grants are not included in listener donations. At most stations, it accounts for 65% of the revenue. I told you that before, and you completely ignored it.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Where is corporate funding? Corporate grants are not included in listener donations. At most stations, it accounts for 65% of the revenue. I told you that before, and you completely ignored it.

Besides the national corporate sponsors; the McArthur Foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Newman's own, the the bevy of others, what is the percentage of LOCAL corporate sponsors? I don't see that many big name local corporate sponsors on that station which would make up 65% of WXXI's budget.

 

[TheBigA]

I don't see that many big name local corporate sponsors on that station which would make up 65% of WXXI's budget.

I don't live in Rochester, but I found testimonials from some local sponsors here:

http://wxxi.org/support/underwriting/corppart.html

I'm sure there are lots more if you just look.

They ID local sponsors on air every hour. And I'm sure it's in their annual report. You DO have their annual report, don't you?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

I don't see that many big name local corporate sponsors on that station which would make up 65% of WXXI's budget.

I don't live in Rochester, but I found testimonials from some local sponsors here:

http://wxxi.org/support/underwriting/corppart.html

I'm sure there are lots more if you just look.

They ID local sponsors on air every hour. And I'm sure it's in their annual report. You DO have their annual report, don't you?

Their annual report, like their 990 federal tax form, is never up to date. And there is no where on the station's website that breaks down the percentage of what the station gets from corporate sponsors, fundraising, and grants. Perhaps I will have to end up filing a FOIL (Freedom of Information Act) request in order to obtain what information I require.

 

[TheBigA]

Their annual report, like their 990 federal tax form, is never up to date. And there is no where on the station's website that breaks down the percentage of what the station gets from corporate sponsors, fundraising, and grants.

So then you're just making up facts to suit your own opinion. Thank you.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Their annual report, like their 990 federal tax form, is never up to date. And there is no where on the station's website that breaks down the percentage of what the station gets from corporate sponsors, fundraising, and grants.

So then you're just making up facts to suit your own opinion. Thank you.

No I am stating that the station's management doesn't provide the information you requested. Even if I could produce the documents you seek, you would still defend using taxpayer dollars to fund public radio because you support that type of programming and in fact, according to you at least, ran a public broadcasting operation. So do me a favor and double your contribution so I can use my money to take care of my family. Thank you!

 

[TheBigA]

No I am stating that the station's management doesn't provide the information you requested.

You're making up crap about taxpayer money for executive salaries. You don't know that for a fact, yet you state it as such.

Even if I could produce the documents you seek, you would still defend using taxpayer dollars to fund public radio because you support that type of programming

Now you're making up more crap. I have NEVER defended using taxpayer dollars to fund public radio. So don't tell me what I think or what I'm going to say.

You'd do better to find out the facts before making slanderous statements.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

What I really find interesting is that BIG A admits he doesn't live in Rochester, so how does he know for certain how much money the local public broadcasting station's received from donations, grants and other funding? He doesn't! He is basing his argument on where HE used to work (or claims to have.)

 

[The Voice of Reason]

You're making up crap about taxpayer money for executive salaries. You don't know that for a fact, yet you state it as such.
I have NEVER defended using taxpayer dollars to fund public radio. So don't tell me what I think or what I'm going to say.
You'd do better to find out the facts before making slanderous statements.

You have given the impression that you were in management, yet you don't say if it was at a commercial or public station.

You have stated, in writing on this board, that you went from college right into broadcasting, yet you never answered the question was it a small market station or did you go right into the big leagues?

You claim to know about how funding is distributed to public stations, yet you stated you don't live in the Rochester market, so how would you know how the funding is distributed at WXXI?

You have never, never, responded to the question "do you think its fair that CEO's and other top executives of non-profits receive large raises and bonuses while regular employees receives either no raises or a very slight one?"

And you have the gall to claim I'm avoiding your questions.

You have done your best to circumvent this discussion to avoid my original question. As far as I am concerned this conversation is over with!

You have shown me no proof to back up your claims one iota.