A few months ago, I was taped for an interview and a PR announcement on WKAR TV related to a documentary called Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies.
I've had a long-time connection to WKAR, both with the radio and the television stations, and also with Radio Reading Services, a service that I've read on and used first for my father and then later for my husband. I've volunteered for fundraising, for various festivals, the old TV auction (remember that? GREAT fun!), practice tapings of Quizbusters, and other things too numerous to list here. WKAR radio, television, and the reading services are based at Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Michigan.
WKAR TV is actually comprised of three stations: The "regular" WKAR, WKAR Create, and WKAR World. John and I decided to do without cable for about 10 years, and WKAR was one of our regular sources of entertainment and news. Still is for me, even now that I have satellite television and may drop it to watch broadcast only in the future. Some of the programs I have enjoyed over the years have been Masterpiece Theater, in all of its forms (Classic is my favorite: It brings Jane Austen and Bronte Sisters (among others) adaptations, and of course, Downton Abbey). Also on my list of favorite programs: Nova, Doc Martin, This Old House, Austin City Limits, Antiques Roadshow, Nature, Independent Lens, and I haven't even mentioned the news programs and specials, and that isn't even including the wonderful shows on Create and World. Cooking, travel, extra things that may or may not be on the regular station.
And the local and regional programming: Quizbusters, Under the Radar Michigan, Current Sports, and Backstage Pass, to name a few.
We have seen all the wonderful Ken Burns specials, starting with Civil War, on WKAR.
And what I love most is that it's accessible to everyone with a television set. You don't need any fancy hookups (other than a digital box, if you have an older set). In fact, at the time of the digital conversion, it was one of the few stations we could still get. I'm still unable to (along with about everyone I talk to who choose to watch only broadcast television) see our local NBC station without cable or satellite to help me. Yet WKAR gave us not one but three stations to watch after the switch. Who needs the Food Network, the Travel Channel, and some of the other channels on those services when you can get all you really need on PBS?
Why am I typing all of this beside professing my love for this station in all its forms?
Because there's a chance it will all go away, if the president of Michigan State University decides to sell the frequency that carries them. The Board of Trustees at MSU has authorized her to do this, and the decision deadline is this coming week. Don't get me wrong, it could bring the university a lot of money. But at what cost?
I think the cost is too high. Let's leave me out of this for a minute. What about the many many lower income folks whose only access to television is broadcast? I've already mentioned that NBC isn't reachable unless you have service (or a mighty powerful antenna). That leaves CBS, FOX, and ABC. And PBS. And if WKAR goes away, that means THREE stations go away. For everyone.
Earlier, I mentioned my favorite programs. But what about the children in our community? So much great programming--Sesame Street, Thomas and Friends, The Cat in the Hat, Curious George...all gone if this station goes off the air. Beloved programs. As I mentioned, not everyone has access to cable or satellite television!
If you feel the same way, and want to save this station, please go to the following website to see what you can do to help. Not just those of you within viewing distance of this station: I'm talking to all of you that value what PBS has to offer. WKAR is one of the oldest educational stations on the air: Second in the nation, and oldest east of the Mississippi River. If WKAR TV is in danger of extinction, I would bet that similar stations across the nation are in danger, too.
Here's the website: http://savewkar.com
Let's make sure this prized jewel stays active for many many more years. SAVE WKAR!
Oh, and if you want to watch the interview I did at WKAR, here's the link to that:
http://video.wkar.org/video/2365449661/
A loyal PBS (and NPR) fan,
Tamara Hicks-Syron
3 comments:
This is beautifully written, Tammy. From the heart and spot on with the facts. Thank you (on behalf of WKAR, which I will always "work for" even though I retired long ago!
Thank you for this well thought out and well written blog, Tammy. I pray President Simon will think of the people and not just of the money. If she chooses to "sell out", it will be a very sad day for all of us who care about and benefit from WKAR-TV. Bless you for caring.
Well put, my friend. I'm pleased that this developed into a new partnership that may prove even more important if another Michigan PBS affiliate decides to go the auction route!
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