SUNSET OF THE 50TH CELEBRATION

posted by Jack Gibson

This month you will note that considerable airtime is devoted to our annual March TV fundraising campaign in which viewers pledge their financial support for KUAT. During these important fund drives, Arizona Public Media (AZPM) raises vital revenue that we use to directly fund our ongoing services to the public: to produce, acquire and broadcast the programs and series you love, and to create new productions, too.

This month also marks the sunset of KUAT’s 50th Anniversary celebration. On March 9, 1959 Channel 6 became the first public station in Arizona to commence operations. Last week we celebrated our 51st Anniversary, although 50th Anniversary community celebrations will continue through the remainder of the month.

In February, we concluded the second and final planned on-air membership drive on our radio stations KUAZ and KUAT. The final figures indicate that our overall radio goal was met with a growing amount of pledging occurring online.

So who tunes in for pledge programming? The answer may surprise you. What many people do not realize is that AZPM viewers and members who enjoy our regular broadcasts — ongoing series such as Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Car Talk on radio and Masterpiece, NOVA and the PBS NewsHour on television — also enjoy in the diverse offerings of our pledge broadcasts.

Curious and thoughtful people, our viewers and listeners clearly enjoy an assorted schedule of programs. Please keep in mind that pledge drives remain the most cost-effective method for encouraging viewers and listeners to join the thousands of families in our community who finance your program schedules.

If you are already a member, please accept my personal thanks for your continued support and I hope you will bear with us as we work this month, to encourage your neighbors to join us today.