New KUSP news, talk and information programs
As I reported here a month or so ago KUSP is making a change in programming strategy on weekdays, from early in the morning through the end of the afternoon commute. KUSP’s new schedule in those times focuses on what we believe are public radio’s most significant news and information programs. We think the KUSP audience will come to appreciate our new programs: The Story with Dick Gordon; our new collaborative project with station KALW in San Francisco, Your Call; Day to Day from NPR News, The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU in Washington; and Marketplace.
Several programs in this schedule now air twice – either twice the same day for two weekday programs, or on two different days for some weekend programs. This idea has disconcerted a number of people, but the reasons for doing it are fairly straightforward.
We are repeating several programs we know can serve large and loyal audiences. Not many people can be tuned in to KUSP all day, every day… so by strategically repeating what we think will be among our most-listened-to shows, we increase the chances that a potential listener will have a chance to tune them in. Experience at other stations indicates that more people benefit from having a second chance to catch the show, than are put at a disadvantage by running into a show they’ve already heard once.
Another reason is more long-term. KUSP’s programmers are working on several new projects, which might meet listener needs and desires better than anything we’ve done before. We’ve seen in the past few weeks how hard it can be for a station to end programs that a number of listeners care about (even if, compared to other programs on the station, the shows that are ending reach relatively few listeners). But sometimes a station needs to create time for something new — as we’re doing now for our collaborative project with KALW, “Your Call.”
When our program development projects bear fruit (and I definitely believe they will, though I can’t say for sure when), it will be less disruptive, we hope, to adjust the schedule to make room if some of our daily content before the switch includes repeats. This also includes looking carefully at programs airing on KUSP as well as on another station in the area.
Not every popular program is practical to repeat. We thought long and hard about repeating Democracy Now! which currently attracts the most loyal audience of any of KUSP’s weekday shows. The problem is, by the time we air Democracy Now, the program is already three hours old; since DN! is a topical news program, a repeat broadcast later in the day runs the risk of bringing listeners news that is out of date. Other news programs where our content repeats (Morning Edition, for example, or Marketplace) have personnel in place all morning and afternoon so that, if news events warrant, stories can be updated.
As we go along I’ll write more about the new shows on the schedule, and look forward to seeing your comments.
Fallon said,
August 29, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Last Monday evening I attended my first meeting of the Board, to protest the program changes eliminating daytime and Friday/Saturday evening music programs. For about an hour I listened to mostly Terry discuss the programming changes, emphasizing local programs remaining on the schedule and attempts to compromise by offering music between the hours of midnight and 2 am.
I was struck by the civility and patience of others who filled the room and halls to protest the changes, in the face of such sweeping and radical changes, and I lost my patience to speak just before the alloted period for 2 minute public comment. Terry and the Board heard much but were unmoved, obviously having decided the issue regardless. This, to me, and an appearance of being pleased with their lock-step decision, made a sad situation infuriating. The lack of transparency and clarifying the station’s dire finances to supporting listeners, as well as the threat to beloved shows, is not in keeping with the democratic principles of public radio. We were told one reason for not telling listeners of the deficit was fear of losing sponsors.
At this point KUSP resembles our federal government, having lost its checks and balances, ignoring the overwhelming response against these programming changes. Apparently there is no longer a programming committee and programmers weren’t consulted or brought into the process.
TERRY GREEN AND THE BOARD SHOULD ALL BE FIRED!
SHAME ON YOURSELVES!
Even this blog has been whitewashed, all previous comments (yes it was long) having been deleted.
sandy said,
August 29, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
so many painful changes–no more Cin on Friday nights or the saturday afternoon lineup or Talk of the Bay every day. OK I get it. But why News and Notes? We listen every day at work and I am sure it is difficult to find good programming for African Americans. I assumed when you said you were going to NPR that the show was safe. Is there anyway you would reconsider that decision? thank you–
Sandy–a disappointed long time listener and subscriber
Rachmat said,
August 31, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
As a long time supporting member of KUSP, I am reasonably happy with the new changes. At my age (61) I have found myself surfing to KAZU after 10 AM for more news and news talk, which you will now have, and which is essentially NPR standard stuff. I too am a devoted fan of DN and would point out that anyone can access any day’s program or any past program from the DN website and it is therefore totally unnecessary to repeat it.
Rachmat
from Soquel
judy cleary said,
August 31, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
I’m dismayed at the programming changes. You seem to be discarding much that was unique and wonderful about KUSP and heading right down the clone road. I heard that you reconsidered your decision to abolish Soul Shack and will leave it on. But what about the other fantastic music programs, like Wonderland and Rhythm Afrique? People love those programs,and it’s my understanding that volunteers produce them, so I don’t see how you’re saving money by eliminating them and buying canned stuff from NPR. I admire the work Diane Rehm has done all these years, but believe me, when I turn on the radio in the middle of the day, it’s not to hear her. I have plenty of other sources for national and world news and information; KUSP was my source of great music and local programming. My guess is that you’ll lose financial supporters as a result of these actions. I think you’ll probably lose me.
Susan Friedrichs said,
September 2, 2008 @ 11:46 am
STUPID decision. Where’s the music? RACHMAT can hear the talking heads on KAZU, so KUSP decides to pull in these listeners?
I echo Judy in that I have PLENTY of other sources for news. The kind of music programming on KUSP cannot be duplicated, and if is is, please tell me.
I already miss the Open Road.
I also agree with FALLON. Somebody screwed up. Throw them out.
Jack Nelson said,
September 4, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Above is Terry Green’s reasoned explanation of why KUSP will offer repeating sessions of Car Talk, This American Life, and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me on the weekend. It is not much comfort to my ears. How will the existing base of listeners, not reading such explanations, perceive this weekend redundancy? Of all the programming changes, this seems especially likely to give the appearance of not valuing very much in comparison, the unique local programming that’s being replaced. At what point in the balancing of programming, might you tip too much of the loyal base of existing KUSP listeners off the cart of active supporters, while seeking new listeners? We’re more than interchangeable arbitronic listener-hours.
Since the weekdays are now all talk, and Monday through Friday evenings now offer just two music genres, why not allow more oxygen for diverse music genres on the weekend, with Friday evening included? As I see it, one of KUSP’s greatest sources of strength over time has been in its diversity of programming, with lots of different listeners pulling together to support the station because, in the first place, all those different music genres and spoken word programs have a home at KUSP.
Something else. Fallon’s comment above is mistaken in saying that the prior big batch of blog comments (by listeners, regarding the programming changes) has been excised. Those comments, 127 or so of them, are there. Navigate to Terry Green’s earlier blog entry on Schedule Changes, the one dated July 29, and scroll to the end, where you’ll see an orange “Comments (127)†link to click on.
Fallon’s anger about the program changes reflects the passion that people can feel about community radio, including their connection to their favorite programs. My wife and I still can’t quite get it that we’re not going to hear Chris Jong or Leigh Hill and “Down on the Pataphysical Farm†on weekends of the future, and that’s sure not the end of our list! There are plenty of folks who have wept, felt angry or shocked, etc. on learning of the program changes and losses. That’s some of the necessary passion that has helped keep this beautiful KUSP alive, vital, and connected with its local listening community for so long, including during some other tight spots.
But a raw delivery of anger and/or cynicism toward people one disagrees with, may not be the most constructive action now. Listeners and supporters must continue to communicate concerns and questions. Make yourself known, come forward, be involved, contribute today, the best way you can. Protest notes or comments with checks attached will be noticed down at the station; they’ve got mine. (KUSP, 203 8th Ave., Santa Cruz CA 95062, or 800-655-KUSP, or online.)
Truth is, I was among those who had not done quite enough lately to concretely value those great programs at KUSP. When the fall pledge drive comes around, will you join me in digging deeper and supporting more than ever, those particular remaining programs you still get so much from? Your volunteer programmer will be there on the air, asking for your financial support to be called in during that specific show. Don’t walk away. Provide the most needed evidence of all that what they give is valued, know what I’m talking about?
Susan said,
September 5, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Congratulations on the news reports. I heard a well done story this morning about the Budget crisis in Sacramento. Both a Republican and our own John Laird (head of the Budget committee). Thanks for the new programs!
Tom said,
September 8, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Disappointment is my reaction to the recent program changes at KUSP. I am a member and regular listener who enjoyed the musical mix on weekdays. What a pleasure to hear the eclectic selection of music from your excellent programmers. Also appreciated local public affairs programs such as “Talk of the Bay”. Now I just change the channel rather than listen to talk radio from NPR. The rationale for the program changes just doesn’t make sense to me.