I understand that public radio and television stations need their audiences’ financial support to maintain an independence from advertisers. And, believe me, I like watching programs that are not constantly interrupted by automobile manufacturers, Big Pharma, and big box retailers. So I get that pledge drives are necessary.
But I have a gripe with our local classical station about its approach. As a courtesy, I won’t mention it by name; because this is a small community and perhaps others don’t feel as I do. Still . . .
The local station has a pledge drive twice a year, fairly normal in the public broadcasting world. It usually takes about ten days to two weeks to reach the projected monetary goal. Again, normal. And when the goal is reached, there are congratulations all around before regular programming resumes. I’m fine with this.
But what I don’t like about Local Unnamed Station (LUS) is that once the pledge drive is done, the solicitations keep coming. Daily. Even hourly. Between the spring fundraiser and the fall one, I am regularly reminded that if I liked the music I just heard I should do as Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So did and make a pledge. I can almost repeat the commentary verbatim. And it annoys me.
The next LUS pledge drive begins this coming Monday, November 2. But I feel as if I’ve been on a perpetual fund drive since last spring. And, yes, I have contributed before. But this time, I plan to turn off the radio and seek musical solace elsewhere.
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