WQED-FM ending pledge drive early
Pittsburgh:In a move PBRTV considers unprecidented, WQED-FM (89.3) will be ending its current pledge drive early - effective May 31. In a message to volunteers Friday afternoon, Volunteer Coordinator Peter Riesbeck said "I can't tell you how sad it's been to see the phones so silent. The lack of public support for our drive has disappointed us all." Station Manager Susan Johnson is expected to produce some messages for Monday morning's drive time from 6-9.
Readers’ Forum
I have thought for a while that WQED-FM may have been nearing the point where on-air fundraising would become counterproductive. There no longer seems to be a “campaign” period and on-air fundraising seems to pop up sporatically and all to frequently. Many of the hosts seem to dwell on the poor economy as well.
There is certainly enough support for the arts in the area for WQED-FM to remain sustainable, but I personally think that the station needs to use more imagination in their fundraising. As the sole radio provider of unique content, I think that the station might want to host events that would appeal to its listenership. Using concerts, films and taking advantage of new media sources such as closed-circuit broadcasts of opera and dance would allow the station to generate funds and connect with listeners in a way that would generate funds, raise visibility and build station loyalty.
Just a couple thoughts.
Bruce - May 30, 2009 at 09:31 am
Same thing goes on here in the Cleveland/Akron/Canton area. When they run “special” programming and then break in with their “beg-a-thon” that, when all the segments are added up, run LONGER then the program they’re playing, well, that just causes me to turn to another station and tend to go back less often to a PBS station.
YEKIMI - June 04, 2009 at 1:08 pm