Posted by madcityradio.com on February 15, 2009 at 22:59:53:
Public-access WYOU-TV seeks donations as it fights to stay alive
Dean Mosiman | WSJ
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Barbara Bolan, executive director of WYOU Community Television, understands the immense challenges facing the tiny public access station.
"We're fighting for our life," said Bolan, who's led the diverse, eclectic station for the past three months. "Every day, it's like getting up and leading the charge into battle."
WYOU, which has long relied heavily on public education and government (PEG) funding secured from Charter TV subscribers, is getting about $140,000 this year to help cover a $200,000 budget. But a change in state law is leading to the loss of that funding by 2011.
Initially, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz considered erasing WYOU's PEG funding this year, but he supported a plan to keep the funds in the 2009 budget, cut it in half in 2010, and eliminate it in 2011 when Charter money is no longer available.
Cieslewicz, who could not be reached for comment, has called WYOU "One of those creative, quirky things that makes Madison Madison."
The station, which went months without a permanent executive director, is now taking action to become self-sufficient, announcing a pledge drive with a goal of raising $20,000 from March 1 through 8, and starting live streaming of programming on its Web site that week.
The station, established in 1976 and long a budget target of the more conservative wing of the City Council, has an important role in the community, supporters say.
"WYOU provides citizens with an opportunity to access to the media," said Bolan, who brings 25 years of experience managing and marketing in the music business. "For anybody who's got a passion for something to say, it's an opportunity to learn how to say it well ? and say it on the air."
"I feel strongly about having access and educational opportunities," said Rosemary Bodolay, an arts instructor at UW-Madison who has developed programs and serves on WYOU's board.
For a $40 membership, WYOU provides opportunities for instruction in handling a digital camera, film editing for $40 for each class, and free use of equipment and technical help. The station, which also offers other filmmaking classes for $25, has about 500 members.
"The community doesn't know a lot about the station, especially the educational part of it," Bolan said. A spectrum of programing, seen on Charter Channel 95 analog and 991 digital, includes the Dane County Economic Forum, "Hindu Cultural Hour," "Third World Issues," the Spanish-language show "El Barrio," music from Jessie Walker to the Capitol City Band to "West Africa Experience: Music from the Continent."
Some offerings are controversial, like "Cooking with Bob," where the camera focuses only on grilling food, and others are polished, such as Amy Goodman's syndicated news show, "Democracy Now!"
To survive, WYOU must recruit new members, upgrade aging equipment, and explore new opportunities like renting out studio space or charging for some services of the technical staff, Bolan said.
The station, however, finds itself seeking grants and tapping philanthropic resources at time when many arts organizations are struggling and the economy is in recession.
"It's going to be incredibly difficult," Bolan said. "It's going to take every bit of effort from our staff and board of directors ? and a lot of luck."