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A message from our CEO

posted Tuesday, May 12, 2009 9:13am

See more on: Blogs, Colorado

Last week, we made some tough decisions that affected staff levels at Rocky Mountain PBS. Due to our $1.5 million budget shortfall, we are moving forward with a reorganization that will enable Rocky Mountain PBS to be more hopeful about the future.

Sadly, the reorganization has resulted in the loss of a number of loyal employees, as well as the end of Auction.

To our Auction friends and volunteers, we are here for you and eager to listen. You are a vital part of our family – our other half – and there is still important work to be done. Deborah Bruner will be managing volunteers once again. We'd love to hear your ideas and thoughts and together build new outreach projects that will utilize your skills and passion - and help us continue to grow. Deborah can be reached at 303-620-5715.

Times are tough, but I know we will do whatever it takes to not only survive but thrive – and reposition Rocky Mountain PBS quickly to flourish amid these challenging times.

Staying competitive means delivering well on three fronts: content creation, collection and curation. To accomplish this, one of our goals is to harvest the great content that is being produced in Colorado and serve as a distribution platform for the work of local arts organizations, non-profits and educational institutions.

As we look to the future, I am deeply committed to expanding our services and delivering on our decades-old mission: To enrich the lives of Coloradans through engaging and essential programs, services and community partnerships that inform, enlighten and entertain.

Whether you are a volunteer, a viewer or a fellow staffer at Rocky Mountain PBS, I want to thank you for your patience and continued support. Now more than ever we need you.

Visit rmpbs.org/support today.

-Doug Price

What's your point of view?

Ruth Maguire
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 4:03pm
Would a voluntary change to viewing the monthly schedule on the rmpbs.org site or via the email like Rocky Mountain PBS E-News be a significant cost-cutter from printing the monthly Promo?

William Loftis
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 4:09pm
You should consider giving the option to get schedule info via the web site by providing an opt-out for the printed Promo. Our church does this with our bi-weekly newsletter.

Joan Bloom
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 4:22pm
I think getting rid of the Promo is a good idea. But, I wonder how many folks out there don't have computers - and how that might effect them. I like the idea of people being able to choose to opt out or not. I for one, would.

Carolyn Cyr
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 4:22pm
Thank you so much for your diligence
in keeping RMPS up and running.
I can't imagine television without
PBS. Keep up the good work.
Carolyn and Al Cyr

Elizabeth
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 4:28pm
We now offer an electronic version of Promo. Sign up for e-promo at rmpbs.org/promo and help us save money and trees! Thank you for your support.

G. Kuhn
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 5:01pm
I don't know the details of your operating budget and funding sources, but I think it's time to analyze your too frequent online membership drives. I'm sure a lot of money is spent to put together the special "shows" you air; I would rather see the effort/resources be spent on shows that are your trademark, like Nova, Nature, Masterpiece Theater, American Experience, shows with local flavor (Spirit of Colorado), etc. Frankly, I'm really tired of seeing endless repetitions of Doo Wop, Celtic Women, John Denver, Andre Rieu, etc., etc. Rather give me good realistic weekly programming and provide multiple opportunities to view or tape these shows.

Larry
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 5:52pm
In June we will lose your signal, and we can't pick up PBS from Colorado Springs from where we live. Asking us to contribute even more is not very appropriate. Sadly, we will be the forgotten ones. It looks like we have to part ways (and contributions). Aloha.

Kelly
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 5:53pm
We love RMPBS! And, I just discovered the auction this year and was looking forward to next years! We haven't been in the best finacial position the past few years, so we haven't been able to donate...we hope to in the future. You are a great channel with great shows! Thank you!

Pam
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 › 8:02am
I add my agreement to this comment:

Tuesday, May 12, 2009 5:01 p.m.
I don't know the details of your operating budget and funding sources, but I think it's time to analyze your too frequent online membership drives. I'm sure a lot of money is spent to put together the special "shows" you air; I would rather see the effort/resources be spent on shows that are your trademark, like Nova, Nature, Masterpiece Theater, American Experience, shows with local flavor (Spirit of Colorado), etc. Frankly, I'm really tired of seeing endless repetitions of Doo Wop, Celtic Women, John Denver, Andre Rieu, etc., etc. Rather give me good realistic weekly programming and provide multiple opportunities to view or tape these shows.

Jack
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 › 11:13am
When the going gets tough...etc.

To get going, perhaps rethinking liaisons with program sources outside the normal PBS sphere would help. There are multinational program sources outside of the usual (but nonetheless good) BBC, etc., that might offer totally new types of fare.

E.g., the Eurovision music event (pop music song contest...more viewers than the Superbowl and Oscars combined, worldwide) might be available through the BBC or other non-commercial sources. It's outside the box and could be combined with subscriber solicitation. Or, let people subscribe to these piecemeal on your new digital "sideband" (6.1, 6.2, etc.) stations. People may want to pick and choose, but only from a newer, more international (and fresher!) selections. Things like MI-5, though good, aren't new.

Kay Shaw
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 › 1:17pm
Thanks for all that you all do. We understand the need to cut cost and want to help too. We would be happy to receive Promo on line, if you could just run the Featured Programs pages as a separate section. I have an idea about the "regularly" scheduled shows but am especially interested in printing the two pages of the Featured Programs to have by my TV. Thanks for asking.

Lois Nelson
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 › 6:19pm
If I watch TV at all, it's primarily PBS. I thank you for your terrific programming! Although, my computer isn't functioning now, I have been getting e-promo by accessing a computer at the public library. I want to agree with two former suggestions: 1. Let's try forming some multi-national liasons with TV programming; 2. Even though I've participated in your membership drives several times in the past, perhaps we could come up up with a more cost effective way to get new members and keep loyal members. When I am able, I will continue to support PBS monetarily.

Vanessa Coats
Thursday, May 14, 2009 › 11:08pm
We have 2 public television stations in Colorado. Wouldn't it be more efficient if you joined forces?

Ryan
Friday, May 15, 2009 › 9:57am
Kay,
Ask and you shall receive. There is a separate "Featured Program" PDF that can be downloaded at
rmpbs.org/promo. The link is underneath the e-promo graphic along with the full schedule and a primetime only version. Thank you for your support!

elaine elzia
Friday, May 15, 2009 › 1:44pm
i am a volunteer at pbs and i would like to know what will happen with the people that i have worked with after your reorganization. will you be putting these people back to work for you rather than hiring new workers. i am upset about the loss of people that i have worked with for the past two years.

Lynn Buschhoff
Friday, May 15, 2009 › 5:28pm
I'm not well-versed in funding for non-profits, but I am always amazed at the amount of paper and postage they use. I have discontinued some non-profits for clogging my mailbox, Is there a way that only those who request it, receive their promos and membership renewals by snail mail? Would a simple, silent statement posted regularly, reminding people that good programming is not free. be as effective? I am of the boomer generation that was brainwashed by really clever ads. I think such a thing would work for PBS. Also, though I know that there are those who may watch in the wee hours of the morning,but- would cutting from a 24 hour broadcast save any money? Do you know what shows bring in the most viewers? What shows can you not afford to cut?- eg. lose the Newshour, lose me.

elaine elzia
Monday, May 18, 2009 › 1:37pm
i see new people doing the same jobs as the ones that were fired--why then did you fire the original people? i have loved pbs for a long time and been a volunteer but i am very disappointed to see new people doing the jobs of those that were fired.

Don
Thursday, May 21, 2009 › 10:14am
Mr. Doug Price
It is well understood that KRMA is in the same economic downturn as the rest of us. However, many of the problems you currently face were caused by bad decisions on the part of KRMA management and the Board of Directors. KRMA bailed out of the Lake Cedar group tower on Lookout Mountain due to pressure from CARE. Now you are facing similar threats from the same group over your plans on Mt. Morrison

Just two weeks ago, You slipped the date for full power from Mt. Morrison from 5/19 to August sometime maybe. That is the result of failure to properly manage that project.

These issues are directly the responsibility of management and the Board.

The bottom line is that many people who have been supporters are "FED UP" with your constant inability to follow up on projections.

Doug Price
Thursday, May 21, 2009 › 1:50pm
Thanks to all of you who have participated in this conversation. Your constructive criticism is essential to our ambition to continuously improve our product and our efficiency. With your continued involvement, we will work to address the challenges we face. Every business makes mistakes, and we have a lot to learn. To those of you who have reached out and shared positive feedback, we are grateful for your support. Glad to have so many loyal friends.

A Simmons
Thursday, May 21, 2009 › 6:38pm
Your digital signal is extremely weak. You have stated in your info ads that anyone capable of receiving the analog signal will receive the digital; this is patently false. Most viewers outside the metro area will now be abandoned. You have destroyed your credibility and the good will of your viewers - good luck.

Brian
Friday, June 26, 2009 › 11:09am
haha, easy there, A Simmons. This conversion is unprecedented and there are bound to be some issues. I have faith that RMPBS will do their best to please everyone - give it some time. I find it surprising how quickly you abandon a station you seemingly enjoy watching... thanks for being there RMPBS!

J. Shaw
Friday, June 26, 2009 › 9:40pm
I have to agree with A Simmons although I'm not affected. Like most commercial broadcasters, RMPBS hyped the advent of the "new and improved" digital signal, alluding to improved image and service for all. Then, about a year before 6/12 the "This Old House" crew began mention of "well, you might need a new antenna". Then it became "..some fringe areas may lose reception and need a new antenna or else cable/satellite service." Now, RMPBS is trying to ameliorate the "cliff effect" where fringe areas lose reception entirely with assurances that their repeaters will pick up the slack.

This deceptive and forthrightless ploy is what I'd expect from commercial stations -- but such a lack of integrity from subscriber-based RMPBS???

How many former paying subscribers now lack RMPBS reception?

Linda in Viewer Services
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 › 11:19am
We will go to full power (1MW) as soon as the backordered parts can be installed. This should be done by August 10. You can go to http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1272906.html to see the coverage area we'll have with full power.

J. Shaw
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 › 12:21pm
Linda,

Your explanation of interim loss of service to some viewers is fine, but doesn't address the complicity I cited where RMPBS along with commercial broadcasters sold viewers a bill of goods about digital & high-definition broadcasting.

We were promised "better, clearer,..." etc. and this is hardly the case. This tactic along with no mention to fringe viewers of the notorious "cliff effect" they could experience did a disservice to us all.

While we have come to expect a lack of forthrightness from commercial services, RMPBS and PBS nationally should have adhered to a higher level of integrity and been more "up front" about the issues behind Americans giving up free public bandwidth for the expediency of commercial carriers and military "national security".

John in LaPorte
Thursday, July 2, 2009 › 10:03am
QUOTE:
"Linda in Viewer Services
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 11:19 a.m.
We will go to full power (1MW) as soon as the backordered parts can be installed."

Is it correct that the "Backorderd Parts" are the result of an error in judgment on the part of Engineering in thinking the KTVD Channel 20 antenna would be adequate for RF18 transmission, therefore, requiring KRMA to hastily order parts just a few days before the June 12 cutover date?

If so, this is not a case of "Backordered Parts", but normal scheduled delivery of late ordering by KRMA.

John

burt christensen
Sunday, August 9, 2009 › 11:26am
I'm like Larry from the Colorado Springs area only I live in Longmont and can no longer recieve RMPBS or KBDI for that matter so why would I contribute a station I can't recieve.
It's been nice but goodby!

Elizabeth
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 › 4:28pm
We now offer an electronic version of Promo. Sign up for e-promo at rmpbs.org/promo and help us save money and trees! Thank you for your support.