WCPE Finds Costs Challenging

Facing “substantial” debts and obligations, thanks in part to recent capital costs, nonprofit classical station WCPE(FM), Raleigh, N.C., is putting out a call for financial help from listeners.
The station said extra recent costs include removal of an antenna “shield” that had been mandated by the FCC that had reduced the station’s signal to the west; construction and installation costs associated with a backup generator; and increasing costs for providing music programming on the Internet and over translators.
It said approximately 5,000 people have promised $430,000 but that the station needs another $355,000 by Dec. 31. A recent pledge drive did not reach the $615,000 hoped for. The station is 26 years old; it relies on listener donations and has no state, federal or university funding.
General Manager Deborah Proctor said the station is optimistic it will reach the goal, and may use a short pledge drive after the holidays as well as direct mail. The station also noted that nearly one in four pledges comes from a listener living outside the area covered by its primary signal.