GOOD NEWS FROM TRI STATES PUBLIC RADIO • “Baseball been berry, berry good for radio”

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Anyone who doubts the staying power of public radio should look to Macomb, Illinois, for inspiration. Less than a year ago, in August 2018, the administration at Western Illinois University (WIU) blindsiding station staff and listeners when they announced that WIU would cut almost all university funding for Tri States Public Radio (TSPR) as of March 1, 2019.

TSPR coverage area

WIU had been providing about half of the funding for TSPR, a three-station network based at WIUM in Macomb. TSPR [link] covers portions of northwest Illinois, southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri. In many of there areas TSPR is the sole radio provider of public radio programming. 

After the initial shock, and the loss of some staff members, the remaining folks at TSPR got busy planning their future. Some national programs were cut to save money and there was a freeze on new employee hiring. But, on the air, TSPR continued to provide its high-quality local news coverage and the major newsmagazines from NPR.

TSPR also kept listeners informed about the situation at town hall gatherings at major communities served by the stations. TSPR reminded listeners about the importance of their contributions. The result was record fund raising for the year.

But even the escalating support by members and underwriters could not cover the projected deficit.  WIU did as they promised and cut off the money on March 1^st.  Though hope remains strong, the long-term fate of TSPR is still in doubt.

To get the latest info, Spark News received a brief email update from Sharon Faust, TSPR’s Director of Development and spokesperson:

Sharon Faust

Sharon Faust:  

"Keeping a public radio station going is a combination of great programming, dedicated staff, a public that values and admires the product and a budget that allows you to bring to your audience the very best available."

"At TSPR, we excel in the first three of those elements, but the final one, the budget remains an ongoing challenge - but that is not new to the Public Media network -TV or Radio!"

"Although the hole in our budget created by WIU’s decision to no longer provide appropriated funding (funding that paid for staff salaries and benefits) to TSPR will not be fully met through this year’s fund raising efforts, we are happy to report we are continuing to operate TSPR pretty much as we always have."  

"We know we will have the required five employees to qualify for CPB funding – for now and the future."

"We have experienced staff reduction through natural attrition – some employees have chosen to leave for other opportunities. With each departure, we have been able to maintain service without interruption or dare I say, with nary a hiccup." 

"We don’t want to lose employees, but as you know, with a reduced number of people on the payroll, the less money we will need to expend on salaries and benefits - the primary use for the money we raise.  And as a result, the station’s financial outlook improves."

"At this point, we don't anticipate a change in circumstances regarding the level of direct financial support from Western Illinois University. However, it should be noted the staff continues to be employees of the University and participate in the University's benefits plans. The University manages our money and owns our license, our facilities and our equipment. They provide support services such as accounting, legal, janitorial, etc. Although, we do not expect to receive any direct financial support from WIU, I am happy to report our fundraising has been very strong this year."

"As we continue transitioning, we are taking part in a feasibility study being done by the Public Media Company (funded by CPB) and look forward to receiving their input."

"We are aware that our future is still uncertain, but the staff of Tri States Public Radio is working to find new and innovative ways to meet the challenges presented by WIU's funding decision, all the while, keeping TSPR functioning as we have in the past."

KEN SAYS: We are very pleased by the involvement of CPB and Public Media Company. The folks at TSPR are taking the right steps to become sustainable.

TSPR’s reaction to adversity reminds us of why we work in public radio. The love for our communities is contagious. The desire to inform and entertain shines brighter because of the folks at TSPR and their love of public radio.

“Baseball been berry, berry good to me!”

This famous catchphrase by Garrett Morris on Saturday Night Live aptly describes the situation for two big commercial radio stations that are in heated competition with NPR News/Talk stations.

In 2018, KOA in Denver surged over NPR News/Talk KCFR/Colorado Public Radio News because of excitement about the Colorado Rockies great season. 

The Rockies made the National League playoffs.

This year, things are not so swell. 

The Rockies are currently in fourth place in the National League West.

Coverage of baseball means big bucks for commercial stations when hometown teams are doing well. 

When Nielsen Audio PPM numbers become available for April, we will see if KOA gets a boost from the Rockies.

Elsewhere in the March Denver-Boulder PPM ratings, Greeley’s NPR News/Talk KUNC did berry-berry good.

In 2018, the Minnesota Twins had a very bad year and WCCO had a frustrating year.  As the Twins languished in last place in the American League Central in August  and September, fewer and fewer people tuned to 8-3-0.

This year things are likely to be different for the Twins and WCCO. The team has a new manager and now is battling for first place in AL West. 

Will this “Minnesota Miracle” continue? WCCO hopes it will.

We have a question for you:  Note that the Twin Cities has four stations where Nielsen shows considerable listening to streaming audio. This is not happening in any other PPM market that we are aware of. Do stations in this market do a better job promoting their streaming audio? Or, is it because the weather is so awful that people listen to any audio source that makes them feel better?

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