Independent FM station KKFI struggles to stay alive

[AlphaCentauri]

It is early May, the end of another pledge drive at KKFI, the 100,000-watt, rabidly independent FM station that bills itself as “Kansas City Community Radio.”

Maus is the station’s director of development and marketing. He is also the de facto leader of KKFI’s four-person staff since the departure of the last station manager a few months ago. Before coming out of retirement last fall, Maus raised money for Kansas City Public Television, where he had no trouble creating narratives of crisis. And yet the situation at KCPT seems like a walk in the park compared with KKFI.

An electrical failure at the station’s transmitter last fall required $15,000 to fix. KKFI derives 70 percent of its budget from listener contributions, but the last pledge drive fell well short of the mark, no thanks to the economy. Things got so tight that at one point KKFI asked another local nonprofit for a three-week loan. Even if the board was inclined to hire another station manager, it couldn’t afford one now.

http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1211553.html

[obliviously]

1. Time to run commercials.

Obama said we are out of money. I think they need to learn how to make money like the rest of radio and television or fall by the wayside.

[ret5hd]

2. Well, you certainly know how to pick an apt username.

[obliviously]

4. Put your money where your mouth is.

They are taking donation. Children may have to go without in California because there is not enough money to make welfare payments. And you want us to divert money to an fm station. Get your priorities straight.

[AlphaCentauri]

3. and reality shows

:sarcasm:

[obliviously]

6. If it would bring in revenue

go for it. It is time for some reality to set in.

[givemebackmycountry]

5. KKFI is a wonderful station = only one to carry "Democracy Now" in KC

KKFI is a gem.
Very friendly to the Native American community.

[obliviously]

8. The native american community

rebuilt our roads in the area where I live. Before that you could hardly drive they were in such a state of disrepair. The station needs to approach them for possible help in keeping the station open.They have a substantial income from gambling and tobacco.

[imdjh]

7. I can't say that I'm surprised.

Our local "community radio" station, WMNF has some really good stuff but in the name of trying to be all things to all people, it's simply not a station you can leave your car radio tuned to. Admittedly, I am not your average listener. My schedule is erratic. I don't commute, so I don't listen every morning from 8 to 9 and every evening from 6 to 7.

Which is not to say that it hasn't had some interesting effects on me. I have learned to love polka music because on Sunday afternoons, when I often drive across town at pretty much a regular time, they play polka music. The chatter of the hosts is inane and unwelcome, but the music is infectious. You simply can't listen to polka music without smiling.

They do some really strange stuff , though. One show features dedications from prisoners at the Orient Road Jail. WTF? There is also an hour or so in the weekday morning that appears to be dedicated to pissing me off.

[obliviously]

9. Your making me homesick

My grandpa used to listen to polka on a little local station where I grew up. A much simpler happier time.

[Wednesdays]

10. K&R

:kick: