Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Change Is Hard, But Necessary For MTPR

William Marcus, then and now.

MTPR will be 50 years old in 2015. As someone who’s been around for 40 of those years, I’d like to reflect on the program changes that we implemented last month.

They are the most substantive in years and have sparked a flurry of letters, emails, phone calls and, I’m sure, interesting dinner conversations.

First of all, thank you for your support of MTPR. You’ve helped make MTPR the cultural and intellectual resource that it is and we do not take our stewardship of this community asset lightly. As General Manager, I understand that we are accountable to those who listen and those who support us, including our parent institution, the University of Montana.

So, why did we make the changes? Three considerations came to bear: financial pressures on our business model, a donor and listener base that is not growing, and a change in leadership for our news division.

So, why did we make the changes? Three considerations came to bear: financial pressures on our business model, a donor and listener base that is not growing, and a change in leadership for our news division.

Like many public media stations nationwide, MTPR’s on-air fundraising is trending downward. Public Radio Week last April was significantly short of goal. Personnel and program costs keep rising and recent budget cuts from UM reduced our state revenue by more than 10%. I asked MTPR Directors to reduce their budgets and, in particular, I asked Program Director Michael Marsolek to take a hard look at programming. Could we reduce expenses and end up with a stronger schedule at the same time? Are we placing our best material where the listeners are listening? What are the best practices in the public radio system? The new schedule is Michael's response. It gives better access to our best national and local programs. It reduces our programming budget and also honors our roots with an increase in local music program production by MTPR program hosts. Most importantly it reflects what we’ve heard from listeners over time, formally and informally.

During each pledge drive we ask listeners to give us feedback. We get thousands of responses. We read them on the air – both positive and negative – and senior staff read through them all. We watch feedback on Facebook and website posts, and we surveyed listeners twice this year: in April and October. In the most recent survey we received more than 650 comments. I’ve read them all.

You’ve told us over and over that news is at the heart of what we do; it’s what you value most about MTPR. This summer we hired Eric Whitney as News Director. He has dedicated his entire career to public radio journalism; he has new ideas and new goals for our news schedule. He is aware of the legacy of trust and journalistic excellence left behind by Sally Mauk, who served in the position for more than three decades. Those are big shoes to fill, big expectations to live up to. I’m convinced that Eric’s focus on Montana news, enterprise and in-depth stories told with good journalism and open to a variety of voices, is a natural progression for MTPR News.

MTPR listeners have a deep connection to us, and we, to you. Your passion for MTPR is high. Your allegiance is stalwart. Change is hard. I understand. I also understand that MTPR is at a critical point in its life as a community asset. The station must retain its faithful listeners and donors, while attracting more, and younger, listeners. It must give voice to a broader selection of ideas and ideologies. It must have a sustainable financial plan for the future. It must succeed in the online media data storm that obscures the future of journalism and localism.

We are working on all these challenges. Your support remains central to our success. We will hold feedback sessions around the listening area this winter – and we’re always open to your letters, emails and phone calls. Thanks for listening.

William Marcus
Station Manager, MTPR   william.marcus@umontana.edu 406-243-4154

Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content