Jan 14, 2019
Bradley University FAQ on WCBU to post online:
1/ When do you expect to announce what the final plan is for WCBU?
Bradley University hopes to have a partnership/management agreement soon. There is no deadline per se. Jobst Hall where the station is located now, will be demolished this fall.
2/ Will the station still have a presence on the BU campus? in Peoria?
Bradley university intends to keep a presence in the Peoria market and likely on campus.
3/ Do you expect the same staff size under the new regime?
Still unknown at this time. A partnership could enhance WCBU because there will be more resources to pull from.
4/ Have trustees weighed in on the new plans for WCBU?
Many of the trustees, just like the administration, faculty, and staff, are supporters of public radio. This has been a difficult decision to make because many of us are fans and listeners of public radio. We have refreshed our strategic plan and must make difficult decisions to ensure we are sustainable and focused on providing the best educational product we can. Bradley’s primary mission is to educate students and we need to make decisions on how to spend those students’ tuition dollars laser-focused on that primary mission. By collaborating with another broadcast outlet we hope to continue providing local public radio services to this market because we know public radio is an asset to any region. We hope to forge a collaboration that will benefit this community.
5/ What do you say to station supporters who feel they're losing their radio station?
Bradley is not planning to shut down the station. We do not intend to remove public radio from the Peoria market. Our hope is to partner with an entity that will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of public radio in Peoria and position the station to be a part of the local fabric for decades to come.
6/ What do you say to station supporters who feel Bradley has left the public out of the decision-making process?
We apologize for the confusion. It is obvious that there is a passion for public radio in Peoria and we want supporters to know we hear them. We acknowledge the investment this community and area businesses have contributed to this station. With a management partnership, we plan to continue being good stewards of your investment and will continue to support this community.
7/ Has Bradley considered other media in the area as partners?
We asked for proposals from the community and only received 3, none of which were viable. We discussed a partnership with WILL in Champaign, but that didn’t pan out. We are in talks with WGLT in Bloomington and hope to have a partnership agreement soon.
8/ Is it possible that this partnership will provide more local programming (news, entertainment, etc.)?
Yes it is most definitely possible.
9/ Why partner with WGLT?
The station aligns with our intent to retain public radio in the Peoria area and station leaders provided an in-depth proposal for describing how a partnership would meet that goal. Their market is similar to ours and their view of public radio as a public service aligns with ours.
10/ What happens to the tower and transmitter?
Transmitter power and coverage will not change. "Central casting" (master control hubs) is becoming the new broadcasting model nationwide. That model is being encouraged by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
What is Bradley's mission?
Bradley University empowers students for immediate and sustained success in their personal and professional endeavors by combining professional preparation, liberal arts and sciences, and co-curricular experiences. Alongside our dedication to students, we embrace the generation, application, and interpretation of knowledge.
Why does Bradley want to hold on to the license?
To ensure public radio content focused on local news and quality programming continue in Peoria.
Will there be a building in Peoria?
Yes it is required by law that the university have a presence in the community in which our license is registered.
What does WGLT get out of this?
WGLT's station manager, RC McBride, recently was quoted as saying this: "Both stations – and both universities – take their missions of education and public service seriously, so we’re always looking for ways improve the quality of service, especially in an environment challenging to non-profits and traditional media outlets. If such a partnership occurs, business and overhead efficiencies at both stations should allow both to eventually invest more in content production."
Does WGLT plan for the station to keep a local identity?
Yes. WGLT has stated its intention is to keep individual identities of both stations and continue with local coverage that serves the market.
Does the underwriting income go to WGLT or will it stay local?
Underwriting announcements will continue to air on WCBU, broadcast from the WCBU transmitter in East Peoria, to the same 10 county listening area that WCBU currently serve.
Will WCBU be a mirror of WGLT?
No. A partnership doesn’t mean WCBU must air the exact same programming as WGLT. The intention is to keep maintain individual identities and programming.
Is WCBU closing?
No. We are searching for another public radio station (we are working with WGLT) to enter into a management partnership to handle most of the day to day operations of the station. Bradley will still hold the license, the station will still broadcast on 89.9, and there will still be a physical presence in Peoria. These changes are a result of fiscal constraints and changes in Bradley’s strategic plan.
If you found a place for the studio on campus then why move it at all?
The building that WCBU offices, master control and studio are currently located in, is scheduled for demolition in the Fall of 2019. WCBU has to move out before the wrecking ball.
Is a "scaled down" office to be housed in Morgan Hall?
That decision has not been finalized, but that is one area that is being considered for the offices and studio.
Why do we need to still fundraise?
We need to continue fundraising during and after this transition. It is vital that we strive to be sustainable and fundraising is a key. Even though a partnership will help alleviate overhead costs, there are still other items that need to be funded – basic operations to transmission equipment; and of course, we will still need to move offices once Jobst comes down. At a time of fiscal constraints and limited funding is it imperative that we continue to grow membership, so we can continue to produce quality content and programming. Just because we are planning to become a partner, doesn’t mean we are irrelevant. We still have to pay for the programming that is currently being aired. We intend to continue to air Morning Edition, Here and Now, All Things Considered and other popular programs.
Why is this happening?
With the significant cost, upwards of 1 million dollars this year alone, to move the station (it’s current home, Jobst Hall will be demolished later this fall) and continue providing current services, we have to look at new ways of maintaining the public radio product for Peoria. We are looking at other opportunities and strategies to remain viable while continuing to expand our relevancy. We must think differently, creatively, globally and “outside the box.” A collaboration with another station is an opportunity to rethink how we do things. The possibilities ahead of us are endless.
Are we the first to do this?
No, we are not unique in seeking a management partnership. This model for Public broadcasting partnerships is becoming increasingly popular nationwide in order to increase efficiencies while maintaining quality programming.
Will WCBU stay at 89.9 FM?
Yes. We intend to continue airing and streaming the Classical HD2 programming, too.