WRGF Greenfield

[Lamont Lester]

Perhaps a bit of a tempest in a teapot regarding 89.7 WRGF. Seems Greenfield City Council has cut the $100,000 in cable franchise fees that they annually direct to the broadcast program at good ol' Greenfield High. It sounds as if Greenfield schools funded a major part of their broadcast program by those city cable funds. So no more money as of 2013 and Greenfield schools are scratching their heads as to what to do. Any thoughts? Can a public school in Indiana develop underwriting to fund staffing and operation of a broadcast program?

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Can a public school in Indiana develop underwriting to fund staffing and operation of a broadcast program?

Without knowing much about WRGF's individual situation: No.

Support by donations requires lots of listeners, and plenty of well-fed listeners. High school and college stations typically don't have either.

 

[dfwrunner]

Can a public school in Indiana develop underwriting to fund staffing and operation of a broadcast program?

Without knowing much about WRGF's individual situation: No.

Support by donations requires lots of listeners, and plenty of well-fed listeners. High school and college stations typically don't have either.

Here's a tiny little high school radio station. 61kw at 500 feet. Fund a lot with sponsorships

http://www.keom.fm/

 

[Lamont Lester]

Can a public school in Indiana develop underwriting to fund staffing and operation of a broadcast program?

Support by donations requires lots of listeners, and plenty of well-fed listeners. High school and college stations typically don't have either.

And frankly, a radio station that has already lost a good part of its funding and is struggling for answers to pay its two person staff can't afford the third salary needed to hire the quality of underwriting and development person needed for that type of fundraising.

I know there are several high school and non-com broadcasters who contribute here...still looking for ideas and input. What are the legal aspects of the underwriting question?

And in case anyone is wondering, I'm in no way involved in the broadcast program at G-CHS. I haven't been inside that school since I helped Bernie Eagan with a couple of record dances there in the mid 1980s. I'd just hate to see my high school alma mater lose access to that radio outlet.

 

[butlerguy03]

Underwriting is possible, but the station is going to need to provide a service that isn't provided for the area (= listeners). The problem is that most formats that would bring in listeners has been taken.

I run WEEM in Pendleton and we have underwriters, family donors and more that bring in a nice amount of money, but not nearly enough to fund 2 salaries, utilities, etc. The school will have to make a commitment to the station and broadcast program in order to keep it part of the education of the school district. If you have a dedicated alumni base and current student load, let the school corporation know you want the program continued, and maybe it will survive.

WEEM has live or voicetracked DJ's 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. Live newscasts from 8am to 4pm, we do the school announcements, broadcast between 75 and 100 Pendleton Heights sports events, have invested in promotions materials (including a very nice EZUp tent with our logo), go to many community events, started a blog and beginning to touch video in order to teach convergence, and have ongoing conversations with other radio/tv teachers and professionals in central Indiana. We pride ourselves on running the station like I did in a commercial station environment, with on-air responsibilities tiered to focus better shifts on better students while giving an opportunity for all.

See iasbonline.org for contacts of other high school radio station in Indiana. For some reason, Greenfield hasn't been a part of IASB for at least the last 10 years.

One station that has made a significant amount of money from underwriters is the new station at Rushville High. They may have some ideas.

I would avoid time-shares at all cost, it limits your ownership of the frequency.

Jered Petrey
WEEM General Manager