WBFO Comes Up Short

[dand5780]

Well, it's not that it's not my thing as much as that it isn't news. And that's why I went to this station since this thread is claiming they are reporting more news than ever.

I heard one local story, so I'm guessing they insert some news randomly into this program which airs from 5am-10am, according to their website.

 

[TheBigA]

Well, it's not that it's not my thing as much as that it isn't news.

It's what they call a magazine type show, with some hard news (usually in the first 15 minutes of the hour) and some feature reporting.

 

[SirRoxalot]

The fact that there's somebody there is an improvement. A slow news day is a slow news day - which brings out the feature material. That doesn't change the fact that somebody's there to mind the store in case something newsworthy does happen, and to produce feature material that might just catch a listener's ear. Local content is the life's blood of local stations, because syndicated material is available from so many other sources.

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

One of the many things that NPR stations like WBFO do is become part of the fabric of the communities which they serve. It's why "members" feel a sense of ownership and invest in the stations. More than likely it's why people here take note when something sounds "not right" at the station or any other station that has a bond with the community, say 97 Rock, WYRK or the Edge. There must be something special about a radio station when listeners and posters here can criticize it and defend it within the same thread.

I heard the NPR feature, one of many which IMHO, NPR does so well. Plenty of substance with a unique, sometimes understated style. Features such as these may be an acquired taste and some listeners understandably aren't into what WBFO and NPR offer. That's the way it works. Some people don't get Country but love Alternative. It's why WBEN has an audience that is attracted to what it serves. And why some of us tune in CFRB or CFTR to get a taste of what's going on across the river.

I thought the NPR feature was particularly informative and relevant to parents; especially if there are children or grand children who've had some kind of affliction. The feature may have been even more relevant to listeners whose kids grew up without blemish and realize how lucky they are. From a news-talk programming perspective, the feature struck me as being on the money for 25-40 year old listeners with kids.

Cheryl Hagen? I think she's a superb addition to WBFO and will contribute to the growth and success of the morning show just as she contributed to the success of WJYE with Joe Chille.

 

[dand5780]

One of the first few posts here asked how WBEN would do if it asked its audience for contributions instead of operating with advertising. That statement led me to believe that WBFO operated without advertising, which is not the case at all from what I've discovered over the past two days listening. So if they aren't getting money, what are they getting from these "advertisers?"

Cheryl Hagen? I think she's a superb addition to WBFO and will contribute to the growth and success of the morning show just as she contributed to the success of WJYE with Joe Chille.

Not sure if that's true or not, all I'm saying is that on WJYE she sounded alive and on WBFO she sounds like she is on life support.

I thought the NPR feature was particularly informative and relevant to parents

That's fine, but I tuned in to listen to what the news is. For two days now I've heard two news stories (and the news I heard today was news yesterday on other stations), and this stated that it is an alternative for other news stations. So as a new listener, I'm still trying to figure out where all of the news is, besides on their website.

 

[TheBigA]

That statement led me to believe that WBFO operated without advertising, which is not the case at all from what I've discovered over the past two days listening.

What do you consider "advertising?" The FCC has pretty clear and strict rules about what they can and can't do.

For two days now I've heard two news stories (and the news I heard today was news yesterday on other stations), and this stated that it is an alternative for other news stations. So as a new listener, I'm still trying to figure out where all of the news is, besides on their website.

I think I described their shows in an earlier post. Typically the hard news can be heard in the first 15-20 minutes of the hour. They also have brief news updates every ten minutes or so. This is not an all-news station. It's a news/talk station.

Here is a link to the format clock for Morning Edition:

http://www.wbur.org/about/blog/2014/11/17/npr-morning-edition-clock

 

[dand5780]

What do you consider "advertising?" The FCC has pretty clear and strict rules about what they can and can't do.

Well anything that is promoting something is advertising. Attempting to gain a customer, in the case of business.

From wbfo.com:
"Our listeners and viewers are your clients, customers, patrons and employees. They will respond to your message and visit your establishment, do business with you, and thank you for your support of public broadcasting. It's a testament to the incredible loyalty which public broadcasting enjoys - a loyalty that is unique in the marketing community. "

I hear "sponsored by" yadda yadda yadda...which is no different than the sponsors of any other radio station. Except, maybe they don't give their phone numbers or let them record their own commercials. Who knows, I've only been listening two days but more importantly, who cares, they're still raking in the dough from them AND expecting their listeners, apparently, to send them money.

 

[TheBigA]

I've only been listening two days but more importantly, who cares, they're still raking in the dough from them AND expecting their listeners, apparently, to send them money.

Truthfully, the money they get from listeners (and I'm talking public radio in general, not just WBFO) simply isn't enough to cover the cost of running a radio station. The only radio service that runs strictly on listener subscription money is satellite, and even there, it's only for the music channels. The majority of the revenue at WBFO comes from corporate donations, foundation money, and grants. You're correct that the corporate donors can't do a serious sales pitch or use a recorded spot. There are also restrictions on the number of times they can do funding announcements. I promise you the funding announcements are a lot shorter than the commercial clusters you hear on the other stations in town.

 

[Mark1981]

Dan, obviously public radio is not for you. So, I would recommend returning to what you like. From your posts, I would think that's WBEN. I used to listen to WBEN. But the right wing tone of its talk shows has turned me off. My listening is limited to Dave Debo's fine show on Sunday mornings. John and Susan do a good job in the AM. But I'm a Morning Edition listener. I just heard this wonderful feature from former NPR White House correspondent Don Gonyea, who described his encounter with Johnny Cash when Gonyea first started in the business as a DJ years ago. It was not news, but if you didn't come away from hearing that with the thought that this was great radio, well, this service obviously isn't for you. Again, that's okay. But please spare us the uninformed analysis that our announcers sound like they want to be somewhere else. Cheryl Hagen is now a serious news reporter, not the co-host of a music -based FM morning show. She's going to sound different. But to say she sounds half-dead, well, I'm just at a loss to understand where you're coming from.

 

[dand5780]

Dan, obviously public radio is not for you. So, I would recommend returning to what you like. From your posts, I would think that's WBEN.

Actually, it's not that public radio isn't for me. WBEN is good, there are a few other stations in the area that are good, and I mean very few, and only at certain times. Other than that, I have to listen to stations in other cities.

I just heard this wonderful feature from former NPR White House correspondent Don Gonyea, who described his encounter with Johnny Cash when Gonyea first started in the business as a DJ years ago. It was not news, but if you didn't come away from hearing that with the thought that this was great radio, well, this service obviously isn't for you. Again, that's okay.

I didn't hear it. Once again, and I know this might be hard for you to understand even though I've explained it multiple times, it isn't that I don't think something is great or not great radio. It's that I read somewhere in this thread a statement that WBFO is a news station, or attempting to be one, and I tune in and don't hear any news.

But please spare us the uninformed analysis that our announcers sound like they want to be somewhere else. Cheryl Hagen is now a serious news reporter, not the co-host of a music -based FM morning show. She's going to sound different. But to say she sounds half-dead, well, I'm just at a loss to understand where you're coming from.

I'll gladly say it, because that's what it sounded like, to me. She did news at WJYE before she was a co-host of their morning show. You can sound serious and not like you hate your job at the same time. Maybe she can't do it. I don't know. But that's what it sounded like.

 

[TheBigA]

It's that I read somewhere in this thread a statement that WBFO is a news station, or attempting to be one, and I tune in and don't hear any news.

What you read was that WBFO is attempting to compete with WBEN. WBEN isn't a news station either. But their morning news program is more consistently news than Morning Edition.

 

[dand5780]

Ok, makes sense, although they have a ways to go considering there was little as far as news goes on WBFO.

What you read was that WBFO is attempting to compete with WBEN. WBEN isn't a news station either. But their morning news program is more consistently news than Morning Edition.

Well WBEN is a news & talk station, with much of the talk revolving around the news, depending on the show.

 

[jim8230]

Truthfully, the money they get from listeners (and I'm talking public radio in general, not just WBFO) simply isn't enough to cover the cost of running a radio station...There are also restrictions on the number of times they can do funding announcements.

To those points: As I understand it, corporate support is approximately 10 to 15% of the revenues. The policy of WBFO and WNED-FM is no two of the same elements are to be played back-to-back. So, during a break in network programming one spot and a promo may be played, but not two promos or two spots back-to-back. Even during heavy spot load times the underwriting spots are separated if they need to be played in the same break. Also, besides the restricted language, spots are never longer than 30 seconds with most of them coming in around 20 seconds. These are conscious decisions made so listeners are not put off by the announcements. However, consider the differences between this format and two or three 5 to 7 minute stop sets an hour on some commercial stations. I dare say there is no comparison.

 

[Element9]

It was a surprise to hear that WBFO fell approximately $40 thousand short of the winter membership drive's $200 thousand goal. Could the shortfall have to do with aging demographics for news and news talk? It's not like the format attracts a lot of 30 year old listeners. Nor 40 year olds, for that matter. NPR and program providers national seem to be aware of the audience trends, but local stations may not be aware, and if they are, may not be capable of providing a remedy. I think it goes beyond simply hiring younger anchors and reporters. It's more a matter of programming content and the style in which it's presented. The manner in which membership drive hosts present the station to perspective members likely impacts the amount of money and number of pledges received as well.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Let's see, they just fired a popular host, and have been bludgeoning their audience with the "7%" commitment. A petition drive with 500 signatures asking for the return of that host is on social media. Their financials - showing a structure top-heavy with VPs - has been featured as part of the discussion over the firing of that host. I wonder if those things had any effect?

 

[Rusty Bridges]

The shortfall is more likely the result of WBFO management setting a goal that was too high for a mid winter fund drive, and to a lesser degree, reports about management salaries and corporate ownership, rather than a 500 signature petition demanding the station re-hire a host of a five hour Sunday night blues show.

 

[tbolt909]

Right, the entire viability of WBFO hinges on one former bombastic host.
Buffalo has no shortage of thin skinned egomaniacs...

 

[tbolt909]

Maybe the membership goal was too high.
People may be short of excess cash due to the holiday bills or
severe storm damage bills. Sometimes NPR stations surpass their goals
and sometimes not...

Commercial radio stations often have fewer advertisers in January...

 

[TheBigA]

Seems to me the salaries of the top people have been known for a very long time. I know we discussed them here before they bought WBFO. So I doubt very much that regular listeners to WBFO news programming care. Weekend blues programming is not a significant part of this station's membership. If it was, there would be more blues programming, and this host would not have been dropped. A petition with 500 signatures isn't very impressive to me. Especially in a city the size of Buffalo.

I'd be more interested in seeing which day-parts met their goal and which did not. Telling me the station missed their goal doesn't tell me enough to know where the problem is. That's like showing me 6+ M-S numbers. But I agree with tbolt909 that it's not unusual for commercial stations to miss their numbers in the first quarter.

 

[Element9]

I'd be more interested in seeing which day-parts met their goal and which did not. Telling me the station missed their goal doesn't tell me enough to know where the problem is. That's like showing me 6+ M-S numbers.

Very likely, the folks at WNYPB have a detailed accounting of when and where the donor money is coming from. It's also likely they're concerned about the shows that cost the most to import and want to maximize their return on investment in those shows.

Shows like On Point and Here And Now are said, at least by the pledge drive hosts, to cost a pretty penny. Morning Edition and ATC aren't cheap by any means. You'd think WBFO performed well with in morning and afternoon drive, and if the midday shows aren't drawing listeners, it's reasonable to deduce that they're not going to produce membership pledges or renewals. Bolt makes a good point about this being a time when listeners don't have a lot of cash on hand because they're paying off holiday bills. April 15th tax deadline looms in the near distance, too. There are any number of variables that adversely affect listeners' ability to write a check to WBFO. It's just a bad time of the year to ask listeners for money. Which makes pulling in nearly $160 thousand look pretty good.

As to the petition drive for the departed Anita West, I think 500 signatures is somewhat impressive, given that she was on the air only five hours on Sunday nights. The cold reality is, 500 signatures mean nothing to Donald K. Boswell or his VPs. WBFO reached 75% of its membership goal by way of the news and magazine show programming, which make up most of the station's content. The blues shows combined weren't going to put the drive over the top.

West may have 500 devoted signatures on a petition, but Boswell has been in the corner office for years and built relationships with bank presidents, funding agencies and corporations; deep water where the big fish swim. Listeners' pledges resulting from a five hour Sunday night blues show are shallow water contributions from minnows. West's petition drive may actually have done her more harm than good, because it very likely galvanizes Boswell's opinion that he made the proper decision in terminating her.

Money begets money. Don't tangle with those who have money and power unless you're well-armed, smarter, or have pictures of them in compromising positions or documentation of them doing things that violate the law.