Thursday, June 23, 2022

Where I've been and why

 

Several weeks ago, I received this invitation through the mail.
 
My invitation wasn't on this announcement.  I am known as a major contributor.  I am also a member, so technically, I can go today, too.
 

Yesterday they had their ribbon cutting ceremony and a party for major contributors.  Note that 2% from the state.  More on that in a minute.

I am supporting their new building by giving to their wall of contributors called Wall of Giving.

Let me point out a few things you might not know.  In MOST states, PBS gets loads of funding from their state.  Here are some examples:

Utah, 30 million dollars/year
Minnesota, 16 million dollars/year
Iowa, 8 million dollars/year
Mississippi, 6.8 million dollars/year
Arkansas, 5.5 million dollars/year
New Mexico, 3.1 million dollars/year
Oklahoma, 2.85 million dollars/year
Missouri, 1 million dollars/year
Kansas, 50,000 thousand dollars/year 

Consider becoming a member of your local PBS station.  I realize my International blogger friends will not be able to relate.  As a contributing member, for what they call "a nominal contribution" (for my PBS station it's $75.00/year), you get something called Passport.  There are thousands of wonderful shows available that I can access, both local and network, like Endeavour (all seasons), Nature, Nova, Call the Midwife (all seasons), Charlie Bee (a guy who studies bees), American Masters, Cramsford, Abba, Celtic Woman, Agatha Christie mysteries, Cooking with Julia Child, Downton Abby (all seasons), All Creatures Great and Small, and Around the World in 80 Days to name a few.  That is just through the first letters of the alphabet.

I know many of you have cut the cord on cable, but what are you paying for Netflix, Acorn, BritBox, Hulu, and/or Amazon Prime?  The owners of these channels get rich while giving you a few originals and a bunch of old movies and tv shows.  Why not consider spending less than what you would pay for Acorn a year and support a worthy cause, too?  Not saying get rid of Netflix, Prime, etc.  Just saying consider being able to watch Masterpiece and Masterpiece Mystery any time you like, while giving to a real cause.  
 
Hope some of you in the states will consider this. PBS is a cause I believe in.  Thanks for reading and I'll have real photos tomorrow.  Right now, they are still on my camera.

Mae brought up a good point when she read we get $250 K a year from the state of Kansas (down from 500 K in 2021).  Here's what I learned:
The Kansas Public Broadcasting Council, which divides the amount among four public TV stations and five public radio stations following a formula similar to CPB’s. “It is also weighted to ensure that most goes to stations serving rural communities in Kansas,” said Debra Fraser, GM at KMUW in Wichita and chair of the Council.

The $250 K is spread over 4 TV and 5 radio stations.  The money must be divided among 9 entities.  I know my PBS station gets 50 K a year after everything has been divided because they tell us that every time they have a pledge drive which is four times a year.  They couldn't say it if it wasn't correct!


13 thoughtful remarks:

Elephant's Child said...

I love your support of 'local'. How I wish that more people joined you. In so many local causes.
Here in Australia PBS stands for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - which is designed to make medication affordable. Most medication anyway (some new and experimental drugs take a while to be listed).

Mae Travels said...

It's wonderful that you support this cause! I'm very intrigued, and tried to find more info. Could you give the source of your dollar amounts for public broadcasting support? The source I read said Kansas has state funding at the level of $500,000.

Link: https://current.org/state-funding-guide/

My state, Michigan, doesn't fund this cause at all, according to this list.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Iris Flavia said...

I really have no idea if we have something related to this!
But it´s always great to be involved locally!

kathyinozarks said...

I always liked PBS my Mother always financially supported them for many many years.
Always thought they reported news-real news and not biased news since they are government and privately supported but in recent years they no longer do that haven't for many years now ever since the one gentleman retired, so I have been unhappy with that PBS not standing up for just reporting news only
They do have other show content that is very good. I rarely watch PBS any more because of that, just my opinion of course

My name is Erika. said...

I visited the NH PBS studio back in my teaching days. It was an interesting place. And I enjoy lots of shows on PBS. But just to set the record straight, you do get more from Amazon Prime than just movies. If you don't have a lot of stores around you then the free shipping more than makes up for the yearly cost, and you get the movies to boot. But no argument from me, PBS is definitely worth supporting. Happy Thursday. hugs-Erika

Divers and Sundry said...

I'd missed you! I'm impressed by your willingness to provide meaningful financial support for your local station. People don't generally realize how little financial support they get from governmental sources. It's important to have sources that are not supported solely by commercial enterprises.

I did a search, and it looks like Tennessee ranks 3rd from the bottom of the states you list. (But we have state legislators trying to block Covid vaccines for younger kids, so ...)

Divers and Sundry said...

P.S.:

"Tennessee

Budget cycle: Annual

Most recent appropriation: $2,786,800, FY22

Change from previous appropriation: No change

Spending per capita: $0.10

Recipients: Seven public TV stations in Tennessee receive funds through the Tennessee Public Television Council in the Department of Education."

Here's where I got my info:

https://current.org/state-funding-guide/

Jeanie said...

Thanks for your plug for PBS stations any and everywhere. As a former PBS staffer for my local affiliate, I know how important the individual donations are. I can't remember how much WKAR (Lansing) gets and if I could, it is probably different now, but I know it doesn't cover all the things involved -- paying for program licenses, which aren't just the shows through PBS (which aren't cheap) but also others, like Doc Martin or many others that are distributed through other program services. Then add to it local production costs, infrastructure (equipment and facilities) and staffing and even the smaller stations become expensive to manage. Michigan gets no direct state funding but because most Michigan stations are affiliated with universities who DO get state funding, we benefit indirectly through university funding. (Which helps cover infrastructure, staff).

Beyond that, PBS stations are the few available to people not only through cable/sat but with extensive streaming and by antenna for those who cannot afford other options. The children's programming is beyond compare.

Valerie-Jael said...

Always good to support local endeavours. I am a member of our art museum here. Valerie

jinxxxygirl said...

I have always love PBS... I love there Nature shows and Nova.. and a few others you mentioned. So great that you are a contributor.. I don't think i ever watched their news.. But not a big news watcher here.. Hugs! deb

Jenn Jilks said...

We have satellite TV now. We used to have cable when we were in the city. We loved watching PBS lots, especially when the kids were small. We often donated, as we loved the programs.
Here, in Ontario, we have a similar station, TVOntario. It works on the same idea, but no government funding.
(ツ) from Cottage Country , ON, Canada!

Christine said...

Good cause

CJ Kennedy said...

A very, worthy cause