WNED

[Radio-Bored-Op]

What would legitimately happen if LITERALLY no one donated ..... " blaming " CoViD and the " grand total " was around 1200.oo

Would the station be forced to ......
sell advertisers ?
can they sell ads ?

Would they be to sell off equipment ?
Sell the station ?


Or, just get a pass and no consequences and a Government bail out ?

 

[CTListener]

What would legitimately happen if LITERALLY no one donated ..... " blaming " CoViD and the " grand total " was around 1200.oo

Would the station be forced to ......
sell advertisers ?
can they sell ads ?

Would they be to sell off equipment ?
Sell the station ?


Or, just get a pass and no consequences and a Government bail out ?

It's a noncommercial public broadcasting station, even though it's not in the noncomm section of the band, so obviously it cannot sell advertising. Why would you expect a "Government bail out"? The government is not in the business of "bailing out" radio stations of any description. Are you trying to create a Reich-wing talking point out of thin air? If nobody donates, no matter what the reason or whether you believe the reason to be legitimate or not -- yes, I saw the quotation marks of snarky ridicule around "blaming" -- then I assume the decision to sell would be on the table.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

It's a noncommercial public broadcasting station, even though it's not in the noncomm section of the band, so obviously it cannot sell advertising. Why would you expect a "Government bail out"? The government is not in the business of "bailing out" radio stations of any description. Are you trying to create a Reich-wing talking point out of thin air? If nobody donates, no matter what the reason or whether you believe the reason to be legitimate or not -- yes, I saw the quotation marks of snarky ridicule around "blaming" -- then I assume the decision to sell would be on the table.

It was originally a commercial station, so 94.5 could presumably be converted back to commercial.. its happened before at other stations..

 

[TheBigA]

What would legitimately happen if LITERALLY no one donated ..... " blaming " CoViD and the " grand total " was around 1200.oo

That's the great part of being owned by a group that has several stations, not just the one. You share the debt or the wealth. If no one donates to WNED, there's money they can draw on from WBFO. Of course at some point, they might also reconsider classical as a format. That's already happened at other public stations around the country.

I mean if "literally no one donated" to any of the WNYPB stations, they obviously still have corporate and foundation support. They have more than one revenue stream. Not just listener donations.

 

[CTListener]

That's the great part of being owned by a group that has several stations, not just the one. You share the debt or the wealth. If no one donates to WNED, there's money they can draw on from WBFO.

Does low-rated classical WMHT in Albany benefit from the success of WAMC?

 

[Mark1981]

The very premise of this thread is ridiculous. There would be no sudden drop off in donations, like the one posed above. I’ve been involved in public broadcasting for more than 40 years and never heard of such a thing. Loyal listeners to a format like this just don’t all of a sudden stop giving. Now, it is conceivable audience numbers could start to decline as well as donations. If that were to happen, the powers that be would be monitoring the trend, and if it looked hopeless, could then change the format to something else. But that’s not close to happening. In fact, after COVID hit in March 2020, WNED Classical‘s audience numbers were up significantly for a few months while people were stuck at home. Every fundraiser since then has done well. As others stated, there would be no government bailout. The station could be sold to a commercial entity that could run ads. But none of that is on the horizon, so why we’re even discussing such a bizarre scenario is beyond me.

 

[TheBigA]

Does low-rated classical WMHT in Albany benefit from the success of WAMC?

Different owners. WMHT is owned by the TV station.

 

[TheBigA]

In fact, after COVID hit in March 2020, WNED Classical‘s audience numbers were up significantly for a few months while people were stuck at home.

Nationally, classical radio stations saw audience ratings increase. KING in Seattle became a Top 5 station for a bit. But the view by some was that the classical audience stayed flat at a time when listening for other formats decreased. Thus the appearance of an increase in share.

I agree with your main premise. Fans of classical music are very passionate and generous. TSL for classical stations tends to be very good. The idea that the giving would dry up completely is ridiculous.

 

[tbolt909]

Nationally, classical radio stations saw audience ratings increase. KING in Seattle became a Top 5 station for a bit. But the view by some was that the classical audience stayed flat at a time when listening for other formats decreased. Thus the appearance of an increase in share.

I agree with your main premise. Fans of classical music are very passionate and generous. TSL for classical stations tends to be very good. The idea that the giving would dry up completely is ridiculous.

The person who started this thread sounds like they have an axe to grind. Either with WNED, Classical music, or Public Radio. It is an absurd premise. Public Radio does "sell" sponsorships. They have business partners and listener members. WNED seems to have solid support in both...

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

That's the great part of being owned by a group that has several stations, not just the one. You share the debt or the wealth. If no one donates to WNED, there's money they can draw on from WBFO. Of course at some point, they might also reconsider classical as a format. That's already happened at other public stations around the country.

I mean if "literally no one donated" to any of the WNYPB stations, they obviously still have corporate and foundation support. They have more than one revenue stream. Not just listener donations.

Thank you for the informed answer.

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

The very premise of this thread is ridiculous. There would be no sudden drop off in donations, like the one posed above. I’ve been involved in public broadcasting for more than 40 years and never heard of such a thing. Loyal listeners to a format like this just don’t all of a sudden stop giving. Now, it is conceivable audience numbers could start to decline as well as donations. If that were to happen, the powers that be would be monitoring the trend, and if it looked hopeless, could then change the format to something else. But that’s not close to happening. In fact, after COVID hit in March 2020, WNED Classical‘s audience numbers were up significantly for a few months while people were stuck at home. Every fundraiser since then has done well. As others stated, there would be no government bailout. The station could be sold to a commercial entity that could run ads. But none of that is on the horizon, so why we’re even discussing such a bizarre scenario is beyond me.

...... because I don't know and was interested in finding out an answer versus always wondering.

 

[b-turner]

Might I point out at many public station or non-coms, listener donations are only a percentage of income. Much comes from Underwriting and some from Grants. Most annual reports I see put listener donations a around 50% give or take a few percentage points. Then again, most stations are not real aggressive selling underwriting.

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

Might I point out at many public station or non-coms, listener donations are only a percentage of income. Much comes from Underwriting and some from Grants. Most annual reports I see put listener donations a around 50% give or take a few percentage points. Then again, most stations are not real aggressive selling underwriting.

Thank You - public radio stations never make the news, discussed in the broadcasting classroom, and I find I am getting closer to picking up the phone and contributing as well.

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

I am used to the CW / WNLO tv 23 being channel 4, WIVB's "sister " station and the current Pledge drive on WNED got me thinking about the sale of the tv station.

TV has deeper pockets and nothing takes place overnight, but it sparked an idea what if no one donated. "kids today" and CoViD are just the right elements for that to start something that will seem it happen all of a sudden.

◇ to the post that has been in public
radio 40 + years, I value your commitment and thank you for your dedication; no disrespect towards you or your passion