Layoffs at Maine Public Broadcasting

MPBN to lay off up to 10 people

Cuts in government funding at the state level and the sequestration are resulting in layoffs at MPBN. MPBN President and CEO Mark Vogelzang told the Boston Globe that the layoffs are the result of a projected $400,000 shortfall created by the cuts and less than expected revenues in member donations. The result is the laying off of up to ten employees and the suspension of the production of MPBN's weekly public affairs program, Maine Watch. Maine Watch airs on Maine Public Television. Most of the layoffs are among the video production unit.

Local productions for public television are expensive. This would seem to be the case for Maine Watch. I'm drawing the conclusion that production costs could not be offset by donations at least not in the short term. Sequestration cuts started too far into the fiscal year to be offset. Vogelzang called them the tipping point.

The cost of local television production were a constant source of concern when I worked for a joint licensee. Funding for local productions were dependent on upfront funding from corporations and foundations. Viewers were more interested in supporting specials like "Celtic Woman." The exception in Connecticut was viewer support for UConn Women's Basketball. This was unique and compelling programming that garnered enough support from the community to be self-sustaining. UConn Women's Basketball is now on a cable sports network. The network offers greater reach into the New York market.

Head of PBS Says It's Up to the Audience

When I first became involved in Public Radio we had stickers all over the station that said, "Think Audience." PBS CEO Paula Kreger says it's up the audience whether or not Public Television grows.

My experience in public radio is that the audience is indeed the ultimate judge of what they are willing to support. The question for public television will be,can their core content support itself? Is the audience loyal enough to rally around "American Experience", "Nature" and the "NewsHour?" Will more programming like this in the schedule generate enough audience and loyalty be self sustaining? And, can the local affiliates find sufficient funding for local productions?

A substantial core audience can make that happen. At Connecticut Public Radio we defined that as about 40% of the total audience tuning in 10 times a week for about an hour each occasion. CPTV had a much larger audience but, occasions didn't come close to what we had for radio.

The exception for CPTV is  UConn Women's Basketball. That has a large and loyal following.

Can Public Television offer substantial programming for a substantial audience? Will the Public Radio model work for Public Television?

There's a lot more about what Paula Kreger has to say in the Chicago Tribune:

PBS kicks off winter TCA tour: Prexy-CEO Kerger willing to 'make tough decisions' in 2012