MICHAEL KRALL COMMENTARY: “Two radio stations dying on the vine” • NOMINATIONS FOR GRAICIES DUE SOON

Our post about Big Problems at Delmarva Public Radio [link] hit a nerve with one Spark News reader: Michael Krall, Program Director at WBHM in Birmingham. Krall began his career in the early 1990s at WSCL during a time when the station had a stronger sense of local service.

Here are Krall’s comments:

Michael Krall at WSCL in the early 1990s

My first real world job post-college was at WSCL. It was a part-time position, but it was a foot in the door.

Mark Handley, who went on to New Hampshire Public Radio, founded the station with Salisbury State University. At the time, it was an area of the country un-served by public radio. (I never worked with Mark.)

Presumably, the university has a stake in making the service viable, and creating a shared partnership. In hindsight, it's probably reasonable to point out there were some bad decisions made along the way from both the university and the station.

I distinctly recall meetings where it was mentioned the station could be at risk for another signal coming into the market, or at least encroaching on our fringe.

At minimum, at this time, someone this should have been a wake-up call and should have been laying the groundwork for a long-term strategic plan. Perhaps it had started as my position was part-time announcer, so I don't know exactly. This was 1991-92.

During my time there, we had a group of dedicated, enthusiastic, loyal volunteers who were on-air. I see nothing on the website now soliciting volunteers, for anything. This is community.

Expanding your broadcast footprint is a double-edged sword.

While it's great to give your audience more options, think of the time, resources and energy that went into putting that signal on the air and maintaining that signal.

Michael Krall, PD at WHBM

I understand there can be a limited window for available non-commercial frequencies, but it's worth asking, was this the best use of resources at the time, or should they have been poured into WSCL to make it the best Delmarva public radio station possible?

As for local programming, the station had a three-hour folk show. I trained the volunteer.

While it took a while for him to find his radio legs, from the beginning, it was and remained the best-curated folk show I've ever heard.

It was live and local. After 20 years, the program went away.

(Presumably because the host wanted some minor compensation for his time over the years -- but I have limited first hand knowledge of this.)

I streamed the final show, and it was very bittersweet. I also jotted down the names of some musicians. Similarly, there was a monthly variety show in the same vein as A Prairie Home Companion. The point is, these were live and local. And it was community. Both shows went away.

Becoming more than just a relay for network programming is a challenge we all face to varying degrees. But there are certainly stations who have figured this out, and stations (mine included) who are making good progress along the way.

Quality local programming is expensive. Turning everything over to satellite will certainly save money. But in this case, what has it got you?  Two radio stations dying on the vine. 

KEN SAYS: The public radio system (and radio itself) is only as strong as the weakest link in a chain. Laggards like the management at Delmarva Public Radio reflect poorly on all of us. Thank you for your contribution to the discussion, Micheal.

GRACIE AWARDS DEADLINE EXTENDED TO THURSDAY JANUARY 25^th

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has extended the call for entries for the 43rd annual Gracie Awards to Thursday (1/25) at 11:59 pm (ET). 

Last year public media did very, very well, winning 23 of the 39 (59%) in the “non luminary” categories such as radio news, podcasts and student awards.

In 2017, NPR won six Gracie Awards, WNYC Studios won three and American Public Media won two. Public media station winners included KCRW, WFUV, WUNC's The State of Things and Vermont Public Radio.

The Gracie Awards recognize exemplary programming created by, for and about women in radio, television, cable and interactive media. More information is available here.

 

PUBLIC RADIO ENGINEERS OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS

APRE – The Association of Public Radio Engineers – is giving public radio station engineering and operations personnel the chance to attend the 2018 Public Radio Engineering Conference (PREC). The PREC is being held at the Tuscany Suites in Las Vegas on April 5th and 6th, immediately preceding the annual NAB Show.

The PREC is an excellent opportunity for professional development through targeted technical seminars, contact with broadcast equipment manufacturers, and networking with public radio colleagues. In past years PREC attendees also received passes to the NAB conference, one of the largest media gatherings in the world.

Scholarship winners wn receive free registration for the PREC meetings, three nights lodging at the conference hotel, one year of membership in The Association of Public Radio Engineers and opportunities to network with piers.

The scholarship is open to public radio station engineering and operations personnel who meet ANY of the following criteria:

1. Station personnel who are new to the field;

2. Station personnel who have not attended the PREC in the last 5 years; or,

3. Other industry representatives approved by the Board of Directors. (This one might describe me, so I am planning to apply.)

Applications are being accepted through January 25, 2018. Application information is available here.