Friday, March 29, 2024 Mar 29, 2024
62° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Publications

IMPAIRED VISION PUTS CHANNEL 13 IN THE RED

By Monika Maeckle |

When Channel 13 changed the name of its program guide from Prime Time to Vision two years ago and began attempts to convert the publication into a legitimate magazine, the motive was what might be considered unthinkable at other public television stations: profit. KERA-TV management reasoned that since Channel 13 members – and hence Vision’s subscribers – are affluent, the station could make money from Vision advertising sales.

Although there have been some raised eyebrows in the media community from time to time about whether a nonprofit television station should operate a publishing enterprise for profit, no one has ever formally challenged KERA about the venture. (FCC officials say they simply don’t know if such an operation is within the law, since there are no current regulations that address the situation.)

Now KERA’s print-for-prof-it operation is causing some behind-the-scenes bickering within the KERA staff, not because Vision is trying to make money, but because it has thus far failed to make good on those attempts. While projects in other KERA departments are cancelled for lack of funds, Vision continues to lose big dollars. The February issue, for instance, was budgeted to cost the station $33,500 and produce $17,500 in revenues for a projected net loss of $16,000. But, according to a former station employee, the issue cost $40,000 and brought in $4500 less advertising that projected. Net loss for the month: $27,000.

Some members of the non-publishing portions of the KERA staff are beginning to covet the $402,000 annual Vision budget and to question whether the expenses are justified. The Vision budget is more than the entire KERA-FM radio station budget, or the annual production budget for “Here’s to Your Health,” the television station’s only nationally-syndicated show.

Station president Ed Pfister acknowledges that trying to turn the fiscal corner for Vision has been a “slow and tortured process,” but maintains there’s light at the end of the tunnel. In recent months Vision has acquired a new publisher and editor and adopted higher advertising rates. Pfister expects those changes to cause the magazine to turn a profit “within the next two years.”

Related Articles

A packed tray of barbecue (ribs, links, beans, mac, slaw, bread) from Goldee's Barbecue
Recipes

How to Make Goldee’s Barbecue’s Irresistible Smoked Pork Belly And Peach Glaze at Home

House of Plates, a DFW-based food and music outlet, has paired up with chefs all over North Texas for their favorite recipes.
Local News

Leading Off (3/29/24)

Looks like we have a beautiful Easter weekend ahead.
Image
Business

Alternative Wealth Partners Launches $150 Million Investment Fund

Plus: Parking software and solutions company ParkHub merges with U.K.-based JustPark, Spark Spot acquires land for EV charging station in Carrollton, and more.
Advertisement