WXXI going HD

[alw]

I don't believe that Bob said that public radio recieves no federal or state money....that would be a foolish statement, and I don't think anyone can accuse Bob of being foolish.

I think that he stated that no fed or state money was used for programs.

I don't know how the money is divied up within the budgets of either WXXI or WNED, that's way above my pay grade, but I do know that the amount of subsidy money is far less than is publicly believed. And I also know that the rules under which we in public radio live were not concocted by us. believe it or not, most of us would rather not appeal to llisteners to "send a check", but them's the rules.

Now for those of you that will be unable to stop yourselves from assailing me and my collegues with a shower of vitriolic comments about how we are all living off the public teet......we've heard it all before......save your breath.....we ain't buyin' it!

And I mean that in the nicest possible way.

alw

 

[The Voice of Reason]

I don't believe that Bob said that public radio recieves no federal or state money....that would be a foolish statement, and I don't think anyone can accuse Bob of being foolish.
I think that he stated that no fed or state money was used for programs.

Posted by Bob Smith: "Every dime of the operating expenses of WXXI, WNED, WNYC, WAMC, and the other major community-owned noncomms comes from membership money, private donations and underwriting paid by businesses. Not a dime comes from any level of government.

 

[Ed Trefzger]

WXXI's most recent IRS form 990 is here on its website: http://wxxi.org/about/wxxi990publicdisclosurecopy2005-2006.PDF

 

[The Voice of Reason]

WXXI's most recent IRS form 990 is here on its website: http://wxxi.org/about/wxxi990publicdisclosurecopy2005-2006.PDF

I know that I promised not to mention this topic again, but I want everyone to look closely at this document and you will see that the total salaries of the top five managers at WXXI totals $802,412. I'm sure that those salaries have increased since the 990 form was filed with the government in 2005. At this rate by 2010, the total salaries for the top five managers will be over $ 1 million dollars. :

 

[cee]

$802,412. I'm sure that those salaries have increased since the 990 form was filed with the government in 2005. At this rate by 2010, the total salaries for the top five managers will be over $ 1 million dollars.

Disgusting, but not surprising. As much as I'm in favor of local public broadcasting, I think it's become a big scam to get money out of people. They even ask people to remember them in their wills(note: leave your money to fight hunger and disease, not to line some carpetbagger exec's salary). They don't need their big salaries, they don't need their big palace on State Street. Public broadcasting, like so much of America, has been corrupted by money.

Keep in mind NPR was just as much behind shooting down LPFM as was the NAB. Divergent voices on the radio? No, that might cut into their bottom line. To those who have posted here before saying Big Commercial Coporate Radio and Big Public Corporate radio were right - that the 3 space adjacency rule was indeed necessary because it would have caused interference with their existing stations....The FCC's own engineers(best in the business) said that was total crap. Remember that CD the NAB sent to the offices of members of Congress with a recording of what kind of interference to expect if LPFM were to take place in urban areas? In actuality it was a recording of two stations in distant towns that are licensed to broadcast on the same frequency. Thinking the 3 space adjacency rule was neccessary is like thinking OJ is innocent or that Bushco really believed there were WMDs in Iraq before the invasion. Pure naivette.

I once wrote to WXXI's COO about turning over sunday nights to community voices on WXXI-AM and she actually wrote back and said "we're not a community radio station." And of course, FCC rules are set up so their can't be any community radio stations. Nice monolopy you got there, folks.

As I said, I believe in local public broadcasting, not the corrupt, money based entity is has degenerated into.

 

[pubreject]

Hi folks. This thread might be cold as yesterday's toast, but I'd like to add a point or two if anybody is still tuned in.

You started talking about HD radio, which is a capital improvement. Then got to discussing whether or not tax money goes to programming. Engineering and programming are two different, competing departments. While it might look arbitrary what money goes to which function of the service, it's not. The federal or state money that funds equipment goes to capital goods, which are depreciated in value over time. Money that goes to programming is money that goes to people. People go up in cost over time. People also have troublesome aspects, like ideas and opinions and values.

Equipment is a much better investment than people. It gives the impression of advancement and accomplishment without any of the trouble of establishing that image by making good programs. And isn't it keen that the system "decided" to solve the political problem of public radio by directing mandates and grants into equipment rather than programming? Thus encouraging stations to dump risky local content, which they needed to do because of the previous funding cuts. And then reward them and secure them with all the stuff they need to just pump out the feeds 24/7. Management only needs content and a way to put it out - doesn't matter where it comes from. It's worth $802,412.

And just what is the whole digital conversion scheme in broadcasting but an attempt to force out smaller players and squeeze programming by making mandatory a reinvestment in physical plant? For Larry Welk or Click and Clack in HD. Thrilling.

When Washington found they couldn't kill public radio outright, they instead neutered it administratively. And now our gold-plated local digital facility turns out less content than in the old analog tape and slice block days. Because, for the institution, people don't pay.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Hi folks. This thread might be cold as yesterday's toast, but I'd like to add a point or two if anybody is still tuned in.

You started talking about HD radio, which is a capital improvement. Then got to discussing whether or not tax money goes to programming. Engineering and programming are two different, competing departments. While it might look arbitrary what money goes to which function of the service, it's not. The federal or state money that funds equipment goes to capital goods, which are depreciated in value over time. Money that goes to programming is money that goes to people. People go up in cost over time. People also have troublesome aspects, like ideas and opinions and values.

Equipment is a much better investment than people. It gives the impression of advancement and accomplishment without any of the trouble of establishing that image by making good programs. And isn't it keen that the system "decided" to solve the political problem of public radio by directing mandates and grants into equipment rather than programming? Thus encouraging stations to dump risky local content, which they needed to do because of the previous funding cuts. And then reward them and secure them with all the stuff they need to just pump out the feeds 24/7. Management only needs content and a way to put it out - doesn't matter where it comes from. It's worth $802,412.

And just what is the whole digital conversion scheme in broadcasting but an attempt to force out smaller players and squeeze programming by making mandatory a reinvestment in physical plant? For Larry Welk or Click and Clack in HD. Thrilling.

When Washington found they couldn't kill public radio outright, they instead neutered it administratively. And now our gold-plated local digital facility turns out less content than in the old analog tape and slice block days. Because, for the institution, people don't pay.

Excellent observation. Anyone who has an opinion about pub broadcasting which the status-quo does not agree with gets dumped on in here. Personally I have no problems with public radio in general, it serves a great purpose. However I'm branded as being anti pub broadcasting when I point out the truth, as you just did. What was once a great institution has turned into a place were a few reap the benefits, while most of those who actually do the work to make pub broadcasting what it is, are tossed aside. It's a shame.

 

[pubreject]

Thanks, VoR. I believe in public media. I'm not saying that WXXI and other stations shouldn't be on the cutting edge of technology. And I'm not saying the work that gets done there or elsewhere is not occasionally worthwhile. They just don't do enough of it. I regret that the whole thing has gone so far off the ideal of a real community resource and become just another establishment institution. I'm thinking about WWOZ, or locally WGMC's and the other college station's volunteer DJs. Some of those shows are the best music radio you'll hear in Rochester or anywhere. Professionalism is over-rated. Ironic - when we were all young and making peanuts, radio was better. There was less money at stake. The mission was the thing. I bet folks on the commercial side could agree with that. Remember "underground" radio?

 

[JakeLongwell]

I agree with pubreject's comments. NPR and its member stations do serve a purpose, but, there should be outlets for true community broadcasting. And in a lot of ways, public radio has become almost as much of a monopoly as corporate commercial radio has become.
A classic example is the "partnership" between WXXI, and WRUR. Prior to the partnership, WRUR was, in my opinion, a great example of community based, free format radio. No, it wasn't perfect, but there were many dedicated volunteer DJs, students and community members alike, who were passionate about the music they love.
Then, the powers that be at the U of R sent out a call for help to WXXI, and they agreed that the station will carry Morning Edition, and All Things Considered, but at all other times, WRUR could do whatever it wanted with its programming.
Eventually, that all changed when WXXI introduced the "different radio" AAA format on the station, thereby eliminating much of the time that was previously available to community programming. Some of WRUR's long established specialty programs were eliminated, including their classical shows on Saturdays.
Now, we have a watered down version of the WRUR we once knew, dominated by NPR programming and "professionalism" with only a few hours devoted to student/community programs.
I listened to the edition of 1370 Connection in which the topic of HD radio was discussed, and there was talk about upgrading 88.5 to HD. So, it would appear that they have big plans for the station.
I know this isn't going to happen, but, I wonder what would happen if the U of R ever wanted to dissolve the partnership with WXXI, after the HD upgarde, and the tower move to Brighton etc. Would the college have to pay any penalties for backing out?
With the old WRUR gone, there are only limited opportunities for community programming in Rochester (WITR, WGMC, WBER). But there is no longer a "freeform" radio station in the city. I'm sure an LPFM station NOT run by a church, would be most welcome in the Flower City. This may be nothing more than a dream, but let us hope that the 3rd adjacent rule for LPFM will one day be eliminated. If that were to happen, that would open up at least two channels for LPFM in Rochester (95.9, and 97.3, respectively)/ Time will tell...

 

[The Voice of Reason]

I agree with pubreject's comments. NPR and its member stations do serve a purpose, but, there should be outlets for true community broadcasting. And in a lot of ways, public radio has become almost as much of a monopoly as corporate commercial radio has become.
A classic example is the "partnership" between WXXI, and WRUR. Prior to the partnership, WRUR was, in my opinion, a great example of community based, free format radio. No, it wasn't perfect, but there were many dedicated volunteer DJs, students and community members alike, who were passionate about the music they love.
Then, the powers that be at the U of R sent out a call for help to WXXI, and they agreed that the station will carry Morning Edition, and All Things Considered, but at all other times, WRUR could do whatever it wanted with its programming.
Eventually, that all changed when WXXI introduced the "different radio" AAA format on the station, thereby eliminating much of the time that was previously available to community programming. Some of WRUR's long established specialty programs were eliminated, including their classical shows on Saturdays.
Now, we have a watered down version of the WRUR we once knew, dominated by NPR programming and "professionalism" with only a few hours devoted to student/community programs.
I listened to the edition of 1370 Connection in which the topic of HD radio was discussed, and there was talk about upgrading 88.5 to HD. So, it would appear that they have big plans for the station.
I know this isn't going to happen, but, I wonder what would happen if the U of R ever wanted to dissolve the partnership with WXXI, after the HD upgarde, and the tower move to Brighton etc. Would the college have to pay any penalties for backing out?
With the old WRUR gone, there are only limited opportunities for community programming in Rochester (WITR, WGMC, WBER). But there is no longer a "freeform" radio station in the city. I'm sure an LPFM station NOT run by a church, would be most welcome in the Flower City. This may be nothing more than a dream, but let us hope that the 3rd adjacent rule for LPFM will one day be eliminated. If that were to happen, that would open up at least two channels for LPFM in Rochester (95.9, and 97.3, respectively)/ Time will tell...

WXXI poured a lot of money and effort into refurbishing WRUR studios and signal for the sole purpose of using that frequency to reach those listeners of news and talk on the AM station when AM went to its night pattern. Now I hear that plans are in the works to move WRUR’s studios over to State Street. Slowly but surely WRUR will lose its identity and just become a clone of WXXI-AM. Someone who once worked for WXXI told me that a long time ago serious thought was given to the idea of purchasing WGMC. So don’t be surprised someday if that happens.
While under the guise of presenting ‘quality programming’ the real purpose behind pub broadcasting in Rochester is greed. Not from the hundreds of employees who work at the station, but a few who feel the necessity to stuff their wallets with more money and obtain more perks.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Refresh My Memory

Maybe I'm misfiring on a synapse or two, but wasn't WRUR on the verge of going dark when WXXI took control FOR the U of R? And, isn't wider availability of NPR programming a good thing? Especially when that wider availability is on FM, where music sounds better, and a younger audience is likely to find that programming?

Please, gentlemen, don't let your rose-colored memories of "underground radio" and your memories of your "college radio experience" lead you astray. That great "college radio" that you remember is probably as good as that great "college poetry" that you wrote while distraught over a romantic misadventure that seemed like the end of the world.

Underground radio died for a reason. It was beaten to death by programming preferred by a much larger audience. Yes, the trend went too far, with programmers and consultants high on success believing that it was their music selection that drove ratings, and that personalities were largely unimportant and/or "got in the way of" the music.

Reality lies somewhere between. On-air personalities are not as important as they'd like to think, but sterile jukeboxes without any audience relatability ("iPods plugged into transmitters i.e. Jack, etc.) don't build any relationship with the audience, let alone create any audience loyalty. The stations that are doing the best in virtually every market are the stations that have found a balance of music and personality.

Even satellite radio has invested heavily in personalities to give their channels an identity. It's a generic, watered-down identity, but they've spent money to add some flavor. Smart terrestrial radio operators have continued to be live and local. Oh, yeah, they've played serious hardball at negotiating time, and either maintained a 20-year-old payscale or dropped it to below 1980's rates, but that's because they CAN. Also, most companies are under significant stockholder pressure because revenues have been static for several years.

Getting back to the point, don't let your disatisfaction with the corporate payscale in Rochester Public Broadcasting lead you to throw the baby out with the bathwater. And, if you think that there is a vast "silent majority" of potential listeners who are disatisfied with current programming, and who will support your programming ideas, I suggest that you solicit investors and or donors so that you can create an Internet radio station that will prove your point, and lead to a greater number of supporters who will pony up the money required to purchase an over-the-air frequency.

 

[Mark Giardina]

Haven't we beaten this horse to death by now?

WRUR was on the verge of losing its license when WXXI stepped in and provided the equipment and experienced help the station needed. Sure Morning Edition, ATC, and a few other NPR shows run on WRUR, but there wouldn't be a WRUR if WXXI did not come forth with assistance. Granted WXXI benefits by having their programs heard when the nighttime pattern changes AM's coverage area.

Yes there are a few managers that make great money working for public broadcasting, while most employees will never see that pay grade. But let me enlighten some of you when it comes to salaries.

For those of you who know me know that I went from radio to work for the government. There are Civil Service positions available that pay less than what some people in radio or TV are making today. Granted that Civil Service is a little more secure (job-wise) than broadcasting, but not by much. A government job, like one in broadcasting, can be eliminated or the job title changed.

When I worked for public radio the pay may not have made me rich, but I did have great retirement and medicial benefits, plus every holiday I worked four hours, I was given 8 hours off as comp time. Add that to the number of weeks of vacation I accumulated over 14 years and I didn't have it that bad.

As for underwriting; the reason that idea came about is to wean pub-broadcasting off the government teat. Eventually government funding will dry up and public broadcasting will have to rely on public donations and underwriting credits; or as a friend of mine calls them "mini-commercials."

I will conclude by saying that if one does not like public broadcasting, or their fundraisers, then change the channel. If you think the management at your public station makes too much money, then contact that station's Board of Directors.

As for me, I left public radio with wonderful memories of the people I worked with in the news department, yet I will agree that recent changes over the years have caused me to pause and wonder why certain things are being done the way they are. But then again that's part of my life's past; I'm looking to the future.

 

[alw]

Re: Refresh My Memory

And, if you think that there is a vast "silent majority" of potential listeners who are disatisfied with current programming, and who will support your programming ideas, I suggest that you solicit investors and or donors so that you can create an Internet radio station that will prove your point, and lead to a greater number of supporters who will pony up the money required to purchase an over-the-air frequency.

I'd like to suggest that you call Brian Cashdollar first and see how well that worked out for him.
I believe The Voice Of Reason is now The Voice Of Gospel.

 

[pubreject]

This thread is the first I'd heard of the move of WRUR to Pinnacle Hill. Wouldn't it have been nice if they'd also fixed the modulator or whatever it is that makes such a God-awful noise. It's been doing that for years - I think since before the thing was moved downtown. Might be just an adjustment, or maybe a parts fix. The S/N is unacceptable, but since proofs aren't required anymore, ..... Maybe they think with HD in the future, the old signal won't matter to anyone who cares. Shows how much they care. Otherwise it would be a good sounding station - better than 91.5.

 

[Element9]

I'd like to suggest that you call Brian Cashdollar first and see how well that worked out for him. I believe The Voice Of Reason is now The Voice Of Gospel.

Sadly, a fine example of poor programming choices, misdirected funds and manpower from the get-go. I suppose the man deserves credit for having a dream and attempting, however unrealistically, of pursuing it, but it only serves to bolster the theory that investing in AM, especially a stand alone AM, is not a mission for the faint of heart.

Yes, proprietors of stations such as WXRL, WYSL, WBTA and WLVL seem to have success with specilized formats on stations in small, bedroom communities. But attempting the same in Buffalo against the power and financial resources seems a fool's mission. Witness how Entercom crushed WHLD.

Furthermore, look at how potential signals such as WJJL and WSPQ and now even WECK seem to be adrift. (For that matter, one might suggest WWKB as a member of the rudderless radio club, but I digress.)

I have no empirical proof, but I suspect those who listen to the aforementioned stations fall largely in the 55+ demographic. This said with no malice toward that demographic or programming efforts that appeal to that demographic.

-9-

 

[JakeLongwell]

I'm not denying that the powers that be at the U of Ru let their station fall into some disrepair, and I respect that it was their decision to partner with WXXI.
As I recall, the original plan was to put the two NPR news shows on in morning and afternoon drive, and the station was still free to program whatever they wished the rest of the day, and all weekend. In fact, I seem to remember reading somewhere that a spokesperson for WXXI said that they would have "no influence over WRUR's programming" and, indeed, that was the case for a while.
But then, they implamented the "professional" AAA format during the day, and for a substantial number of hours on weekends, thus eliminating those hours for any new specialty programming. As for having no influence over the station's existing programming, well, that's simply not true. If that were still the case, why then were the weekend classical shows dropped? Ok, so the shows were only on for a few hours on Saturday afternoons, but, I found them to be a nice classical alternative to the opera broadcasts on 91.5. Were those programs really a threat to 91.5's classical monopoly?
BTW, while on the subject, I am really curious as to what became of the classical library at 88.5 when the shows were taken off the air. Does the college still own the LPs/CDs? Or, were they incorporated into the classical library for 91.5?

Finally, I'd like to close by commenting on the statement earlier in the thread that "underground" radio was dead. It may be all but dead in western NY, but it is certainly not dead as a format overall. I can think of many "underground" and community based FM stations across the US and Canada. One need only look toward Toronto for some examples. (CKLN, CIUT) I think the reason why it is "dead" in WNY is because people who are in a position to keep it going have given up on it.
WRUR is a glaring example of this attitude. The university certainly could have breathed new life into the station on its own. But, they opted not to do this. Instead, they turned the station over to someone else, and let them do it.

 

[Element9]

So, as I read this thread and the posts of those close to WRUR-WXXI, the University of Rochester took the easy way out. Rather than spend money on WRUR and appoint a prudent and responsible faculty administrator who would properly and actively develop a facility that could be used to promote the benefits of the University, the Administration, was conned by WXXI who shrewdly noted WRUR was in a vulnerable position and could be used to shore up WXXI-AM weaknesses.

You have to wonder what the U of R department heads were doing when all this was going on. It takes energy, conviction, foresight and money to run a University radio station. The University is at fault for not recognizing the asset it has in WRUR.

The actions of WXXI smack of the several times-tested axioms, "buy low, sell high;" "take advantage of your competition when they're weakest" and "gore 'em when they're down." And you wondered why WXXI top brass gets the big bucks.

-9-

 

[cee]

The actions of WXXI smack of the several times-tested axioms, "buy low, sell high;" "take advantage of your competition when they're weakest" and "gore 'em when they're down." And you wondered why WXXI top brass gets the big bucks.

Exactly. Like so much of contemporary american society, big public broadcasting is all about money and power. If the U of R didn't want to operate WRUR anymore, why not some community group take them over? WXXI seemed to have no empathy at all for the people who's shows got taken off when they took over. Previous posts lamenting the transition of local public broadcasting from being part of the community to part of the corporate world are not a wish to return to the days of underground radio. That term actually applies to the old WPHD and the early days of WCMF. Both of these "underground" outlets were commercial stations and their evolving from freeform to tight playlist was inevitable as FM's commercial appeal started to rise in the 70s.

While it won't come from big public broadcasting, there is nonetheless a need for community - and even neighborhood - radio(LPFM originally would have licensed FM stations as low as 10 watts). Brian Cashdollar's failed dream at WHLD was not truly community radio. He was running Air America programming much of the time and mixing in local and national shows of a more narrow interest(such as Democracy Now and other Pacifica shows). And it was a commercial station. Community radio should be non profit...and on FM. Diverse voices have a right to be heard. The 3 space agency rule will hopefully be ammended in the next several years. There are bills in the house and senate right now that would do just that. My guess is it won't happen for awhile.

 

[JakeLongwell]

I think we can all agree that the general consensu here is that, while public radio may have its good qualities, it is really no different than any other commercial entity. It is a business, and so, typical business strategies, like eliminating your competition, are used.

That being said, I guess it wouldn't be all that surprising if, eventually, they try to acquire other non-commercial outlets in the area such as WGMC.

Would the administration of the Greece Central School District consider selling the station? I think they would, if offered enough money for it. More and more schools are deciding to put their radio stations up for sale these days, and they usually go to the local NPR station in town, or to a religious broadcaster, depending on who puts up the most money.

Considering WGMC is owned by a K-12 school, I am sure most residents in the district would be all in favor of selling it off. I am sure that some of the revenue generated from school taxes goes toward funding the radio station, and I am sure that would annoy some residents, especially if they don't listen to the station in the first place. Plus the argument could be made that the station isn't serving any kind of educational purpose, rather, it is a "public service" of the school.

This is, of course, pure speculation on my part. I cartainly hope none of it comes to pass, as I happen to really enjoy Jazz 90.1. I wish them well and I hope that if the school is approached by ANY broadcaster about selling the station, they will turn them down.

 

[alw]

[ I suppose the man deserves credit for having a dream and attempting, however unrealistically, of pursuing it, but it only serves to bolster the theory that investing in AM, especially a stand alone AM, is not a mission for the faint of heart.

My comments regarding Mr. Cashdollar were not meant as criticism of his attempt to do what he thought was the right thing; I wanted to point out just how hard it is to pull it off.

There is a great deal of difference between finding some well intentioned seed money to get things started, and being able to raise continuing operating capital week after week and year after year. One can talk someone into buying some commercial time on your radio station so as to put his money where his mouth is (regarding his political leanings).
But see what happens when you go back time after time. You'll find that the blush starts fading from the rose rather quickly. I'm here to tell you that selling air-time on a small AM public station is not a walk in the park.

My 2 cents, for what it's worth.