Public and Noncommercial
This is more of a category than a format. Noncommercial stations general
operate between 88mHz and 92mHz but are not restricted to operating
there. This portion of the band was set aside in 1938. The FCC rule
prohibits commercial stations from operating in that portion of the
FM band. Noncommercial stations may operate anywhere on the dial.
Some old AM noncommercial stations still exist. Among them are WNED
AM (970) in Buffalo.
WHA (970)
in Madison, Wisconsin and KUAT (1550)
in Tucson, Arizona.
Several things affected the growth of public noncommercial radio, the creation
of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in 1967, and FCC docket
20735 in 1978. The creation of CPB lead to the creation of PBS and NPR.
In 1978 with docket 20735 the FCC mandated that owners of noncommercial
stations must upgrade to a minimum of 100w or risk losing their licenses.
There is no single public noncommercial format. Many college stations
tend to have a variety
of formats. Even NPR stations do not have a single format. Some like
KQED San Francisco and
WHYY
in Philadelphia are news and information. Others like
WGBH
in Boston and WETA
are a mix of classical and/or jazz and news/information.
Organizations
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (CPB)
A government funding agency for public broadcasting.
In 1967, the United States Congress created the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting (CPB). CPB created the Public
Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1969 and National Public Radio (NPR)
in 1970. PBS and NPR produce and distribute national
programs. CPB cultivates and funds these programs and seeks ways
to use them to serve communities better.
CPB develops public telecommunications services (radio, television
and new media such as online programming), investing in
nearly 1,000 local radio and television stations that reach
virtually every household in the country. It's the largest, single source
for
funding for public programming. This funding provides the useful
information of Marketplace, the dispassionate reporting of All
Things Considered, the educational value of Where in the World is
Carmen Sandiego? and the best seat in the house for Great
Performances. http://www.cpb.org
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National Public Radio. (NPR) a
programming organization
composed of member stations. Major Programs include: "All Things
Considered" and "Morning
Edition."
Public Radio International PRI, a programming
organization composed of member stations. Formerly American Public Radio
APR, founded as an alternative to NPR. Many public stations are affiliated
with both organizations. Major Programs include: "Market Place" and
"A Prairie Home Companion".
Pacifica, a left of center
broadcast foundation.
The Pacifica Foundation is entirely listener supported. It believes that
underwriting puts
public broadcasters in a compromising position and therefor does not
permit it.
The Pacifica Foundation also owns five stations around the country.
The National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB),
a support organization for public and community radio stations.
Intercollegiate Broadcasting System IBS
a membership organizations for college radio stations.
The National Association of College Broadcasters
(NACB)
is another membership organization for college radio and
television stations.
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