Wish Houstonians thought of doing this...

[ericspin]

Did you hear about the public radio station in Detroit being sued by its donors? Here's the story: http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=8658

I wish the KPFT music-faithfuls did this 4-5 years ago when the station started axing its eclectic music format for more news and talk programs. Does anyone know about their financial outlook? Is KPFT better off now financially than they were 5 years ago when they had a more music-based format? Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[stan]

> Did you hear about the public radio station in Detroit being
> sued by its donors? Here's the story:
> http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=8658
>

Those people are nuts. They have no chance of changing the programming on that station any more than the petitions to keep KLOL as it was for 30 years.

 

[ericspin]

There's a big difference here, the station in Detroit was supported financially by listeners/donors -- KLOL was supported by advertisers, not listeners. That's where my correlation with KPFT comes in.

> Those people are nuts. They have no chance of changing the
> programming on that station any more than the petitions to
> keep KLOL as it was for 30 years.
>

 

[osr]

> > Did you hear about the public radio station in Detroit
> being
> > sued by its donors? Here's the story:
> > http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=8658
> >
>
> Those people are nuts. They have no chance of changing the
> programming on that station any more than the petitions to
> keep KLOL as it was for 30 years.
>
I have to disagree with that. I believe that the petitions that were circulated around the city helped get the attention of other companies that own stations here in Houston, to replace Rock 101. If it had not been for the public outcry, there would be no Rock 103.7 today and instead we would be scanning past Power 103.7 KRWP. Although we did not attain our goal of bringing back Rock 101 KLOL, I think we are better off for it, considering that the station and it's legacy are no longer owned, operated, mismanaged, or being stripped down to the bare walls by Clear Channel.

 

[stan]

> There's a big difference here, the station in Detroit was
> supported financially by listeners/donors -- KLOL was
> supported by advertisers, not listeners. That's where my
> correlation with KPFT comes in.
>
> > Those people are nuts. They have no chance of changing
> the
> > programming on that station any more than the petitions to
>
> > keep KLOL as it was for 30 years.
> >
>

Well, I lived in another city many years ago. The local university had a FM radio station that broadcast in mono. The college students ran it, and the music played on that station tended to be something different than the mainstream radio stations played. They had a fund drive to buy a stereo transmitter. Loyal listeners helped fund this new transmitter.

Shortly after the fund drive was successful, and the new transmitter in service, they dumped the local programming for NPR. Of course, this predated the litigious society that we now live in today - you can sue anyone for anything.

You could make the argument that they took your money, but you "donated" it to the organization for their use. They didn't say you'd be happy with the results.

 

[radiodial]

> Is KPFT better off now financially than
> they were 5 years ago when they had a more music-based
> format? Inquiring minds want to know...
>

I believe that in KPFT's heyday of playing music (pre left-wing psycho takeover starting in Berkely) that they had up to a 1.2 share and ever since they changed to less music to satisfy the foaming at the mouth lunatics the donations have dropped of sharply.

Interestingly, the Pacifica Radio Mission Statement talks about delivering community radio and news that is not heard on the mainstream. But nowhere does it state that it must be unbalanced left-wing crap. The barking moonbat lunatics of Berkeley took it upon themselves to "define" Pacifica in such a manner as to give a single view point. But then again, I think Americans by now know that the left is composed of intolerant bigots who get cranky when presented with a different point of view.

But back to your question. KPFT is currently in the tanks rating wise and donation wise.

JMHO of course.