Support SOPTV

Why We Pledge!

March is pledge month for public television stations across the country. In the mid-70's, public television stations pooled their resources to develop a nationally coordinated approach for on-air fundraising called "Festival."

Times have changed, but the basic premise endures. Televised membership drives work because of the special relationship and appreciation viewers have for public television programming. When we appeal for viewer contributions after a program, there is almost a 100% probability that the viewers we're speaking to just finished watching and enjoying that program. That's why pledge drives continue to be the most efficient and effective means to encourage viewers to become supporting members.

Today, viewers' pledges of financial support during on-air drives accounts for 17% of SOPTV's fiscal 2008 revenues. But when you consider the number of active members who renew via mail that first joined SOPTV during a past pledge drive, that figure is over 90%.

"Pledging" is uniquely American

Many countries have a form of public broadcasting. In some countries, public broadcasting is a propaganda machine run by their respective government. However, in most countries like the United States, radio and television service are considered public services like the national park service or public libraries. In the United States radio and television began as a commercial enterprise.

Unlike public service broadcasters in other countries, public broadcasting in the United States has a distinctively different funding model which largely depends on individual and community support. Smaller stations (with smaller budgets) like SOPTV have a higher proportion of federal support (38%) than larger stations like KQED in San Francisco or Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland.

Federal funding appropriations for public broadcasting are agreed upon two years in advance, but even then they are subject to recession. In January we received notice our federal support will be reduced--putting strain on our already tight budget for FY2008. And last month the Administration released its budget blueprint for FY2009 including aneven deeper cut in funds for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (the source of our federal funding). While we're hopeful Congressional support will prevent or reduce those proposed cuts for 2009, we must address the very real cuts in our 2008 funding today.

In other countries, public broadcasting receives a significantly higher level of government funding. In the United Kingdom, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) receives direct funding from a "receiving license" that all households are assessed for being able to receive television. That works out to some $250 USD per year per household! In comparison, funding for public broadcasting (television and radio) in the United States amounts to about $1.30 per taxpayer.

So, pledge continues to be a critically important--and very visible--part of our funding. Overall membership support provides nearly half of SOPTV's total operating budget. This is why every pledge and every member matters.

Your Pledge Counts!

When you urge your friends to join you in supporting SOPTV--or when you mail your renewal contribution--or when you feel a sense of awe and pride at the programming on SOPTV and mail a special additional contribution over and above your annual membership, it makes a HUGE difference in the service we provide to all viewers in southern Oregon and northern California.

During our upcoming March on-air pledge drive, I hope you'll be reminded that SOPTV's excellent programming is made possible by the financial support of viewers like you. I hope you'll send your renewal and perhaps consider a special extra gift during our drive.

Many of you may have received a special request from SOPTV for a Member Challenge Gift. This special gift will be used to match new member's contributions--doubling the value of your contribution in a few short weeks!

Being able to use our broadcast service to talk to you about the importance of your continuing support SOPTV is a privilege, and we make every effort to be as efficient as possible! Thanks for your understanding and support of SOPTV!

Mark Stanislawski
President & CEO (And a proud 23 year veteran of March Pledge Drives), SOPTV