KRNM pleads for help

KRNM, the public, non-commercial radio station at the Northern Marianas College, is asking for listeners’ support to avoid losing some of the programs that it is currently airing.

Station manager Carl Pogue said that, if the station’s financial goals are not met, possible scheduling adjustments could follow and some shows from the existing line-up may have to be trimmed.

Pogue said they may also be forced to switch to an all-news format, with feeds from the British Broadcasting Corp. or Radio Australia.

He said that, as of Oct. 25, the station managed to raise around $2,600 during their Fall Pledge Drive, which focuses efforts on specifically obtaining listener donations.

“We need at least $2,000 more by early November to keep our current schedule intact,” said Pogue. “Whether a listener pitches in $5 or $50, it not only assists us in affording the programs, but it helps in proving that the demand is there to continue airing NPR shows.”

Most of KRNM’s broadcast day consists of a wide variety of programs sent to them via satellite from National Public Radio and Public Radio International for an annual fee. Other independent syndicated sources pitch in six to eight weekly programs at no charge.

“The balance of the station’s line-up is comprised of 10 weekly shows that are locally produced and hosted. The most popular shows—Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Car Talk, Fresh Air, World Café, and 12 others—cost the station between $40,000 to $45,000 each year in programming fees and satellite dues,” said Pogue.

The station manager said they obtain help in generating revenue each year through grants, business contributions, underwriting contracts—a form of sponsorship—and tax-deductible donations from listeners during fundraising events and on-air pledge drives.

The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at two different frequencies on the FM radio dial—88.1 from the transmitter and tower located at NMC, and 89.1 from the translator located on the government tower on Mt. Tapuchao, through an arrangement with the Emergency Management Office.

Pogue said the recent technical trouble with the translator, which affected the 89.1 frequency where most of the listeners tune into, occurred at a bad time. He said the station recently spent over $3,000 working with their legal counsel in Washington D.C. to renew KRNM’s 10-year broadcast license, and will have to spend several thousand dollars early next year to accommodate NPR’s new satellite feed, which will be converted from an analog to a digital signal.

Another couple of thousand dollars will be necessary to adequately repair the translator, according to Pogue.

For more information about how you can help Public Radio for the Northern Marianas, call Pogue at 234-5766. Listeners can also log on to www.krnm.org for program schedules and descriptions.