Welcome to my new-ish resurrected blog. I did this many years ago, but like everything else when schedules get busy, it went by the wayside.
One of my goals for 2025 is to bring this blog back as a way to communicate to you – our valued listeners and members. So, grab a cup of coffee and hang with me a bit, as I take time to share Jazz90.1 happenings and other tidbits that I hope that you find interesting.
February 2025
The Dollars and……Sense?
Last week, we learned that newly appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr will be investigating funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and PBS. His claim is that public radio and TV stations who are affiliated with both entities (and those entities themselves,) may be violating FCC regulations by airing commercials and sponsorship messages.
For those who are unfamiliar with what this means – I will do my best to spell that out here.
Grab a cup of coffee. This will be a long read.
How It Started
Many of us were first introduced to “Public Broadcasting” while growing up watching Sesame Street and Mister Rogers Neighborhood on stations like WXXI here in Rochester.
As viewers, we often got annoyed with the never-ending pledge drives (although more than once I made my mom and dad call in to pledge to save Big Bird.)
We were also introduced to messages that seemed like commercials – but really weren’t. So – what’s the issue?
Let’s break it down a bit further.
Every broadcast AM, FM and TV station in The United States are required to be licensed by The Federal Communications Commission. You can’t just go to Radio Shack (man….I miss that store) and get gadgets to build a radio station in your basement.
I mean – you could, and many have tried – but you’ll probably pay a hefty fine and face possible jail time. So, it’s best that you don’t. But, back to the story….
From there – the type of license issued is determined by the entity who owns the station, as well as what the purpose of the station will be.
In our case – Jazz90.1 WGMC-FM holds a non-commercial educational license from the FCC – and has since 1973 when the license was first granted to The Greece Central School District.
When the station first applied for and was granted its license, the purpose was (and still is) for WGMC-FM to serve as a public service to the community, and an educational resource.
As a radio station that holds a non-commercial FCC license, we are prohibited from airing commercials.
That said – we are permitted to thank program sponsors for their support.
Commercial vs. Underwriting
For example, if ABC Nuts and Bolts Corporation donates $1,000 to the station – we are permitted to thank them for their support on air, and give more information about them – such as who they are, what they do, where they’re located, when something is happening, and how to get more information about them. That’s it.
That’s called underwriting.
So, a message that fits within FCC standards for non-commercial broadcasters may be, “Support for Jazz90.1 comes from our members, and from ABC Nuts and Bolts – in business since 1850. ABC Nuts and Bolts offers nuts, bolts and washers. For more information and to learn more, you may visit abcnutsbolts.com, or call 585-222-NUTS.
The argument Chairman Carr is making is that stations are not permitted – by way of their non-commercial license – to air commercials.
He’s right. If they do – they should be held accountable.
NPR and PBS have both denied airing messages that violate FCC regulations.
However – it doesn’t take a media scholar to read into what may be happening here, too.
First – taxpayer dollars (yours and mine) already fund facets of public broadcasting through grants to stations and entities such as NPR, CPB and PBS. Public TV and radio stations then pay into those services to air their programming. So, there’s lots of money going back and forth.
Jazz90.1 is not an NPR station, but we do have to pay to air Jazz Night In America – which is distributed by National Public Radio.
Here is a breakdown of funding for PBS. (note “CPB and Federal” support)
This effort by Chairman Carr could be seen as him asking the question, “why are we (the Government) funding public broadcasting when the stations receive funding from sponsors and other sources?”
That question is valid.
NPR recently reported that Chairman Carr shared a letter that he wrote to NPR and PBS with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, citing a desire to provide information as the debate for public broadcast funding continues.
“For my own part, I do not see a reason why Congress should continue sending taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS given the changes in the media marketplace,” Carr wrote.
According to NPR, “(Carr) argued that any sign that taxpayer dollars are supporting a broadcaster running what are effectively commercials further undermines the case to send federal dollars to public broadcasters.”
Funding for public broadcasting has always been a political football. It seems that every few years – a lawmaker wants to cut funding, or make hay out of it. It’s a tale as old as time, and you may remember when Mister Rogers appeared on Capitol Hill to defend the need for this funding. You can watch that video HERE.
Here at Jazz90.1 – we receive no public broadcasting dollars. None.
About ten years ago, we looked into applying for funding from The Corporation For Public Broadcasting, in hopes of tapping into some of the available grants. What we learned next was a bit of a shock.
We don’t make enough money to qualify for the grants.
Yes – you read that correctly. We don’t bring in enough funding to qualify for financial assistance.
So, we left it alone.
What’s interesting (and something no one likes talking about,) is the insane budgets that many public stations have, and in many cases, the compensation that executives receive. While many of the folks who run these stations make well into six figures (and get housing and car allowances….,) those stations continue receiving taxpayer funding, while also begging on air for donations from you.
What’s Next?
As we continue watching what happens in D.C., it’s more important than ever to make your voices heard, and to support stations like Jazz90.1. It’s also important for you to do your homework to ensure your dollars not only stay local, but that they are going to who needs them the most.
In my blog next month, I will break down our funding and budget deeper, to give you a better understanding on how we operate.