The weakest public television station in the US

Here it is the public television station with the weakest schedule.

Before revealing the “winner” of this dubious distinction, the criteria and a few guidelines for the selection are necessary.

Each public television station is, in essence, and independent television station.  They are not affiliated with a network.  They are, in fact, members of an organization.  That organization is the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).  PBS provides the stations with a schedule, known as the National Program Schedule (NPS).  Stations pay PBS for the privilege of using that schedule and to be a “member.”   To be clear, PBS is not a network like ABC, NBC, Fox, etc.  If it were a network, stations would not have to search for as much funding as they do.  Under the network business model, the network would pay the affiliate for airing its programs.  Although there is in many offices at PBS a network mentality, PBS is not a network.

So, crafting and development of a schedule for a local station is the responsibility of the local station.  Most PBS member stations have a program manager or director or consultant that uses information about the local community to design a schedule.  A local programmer cannot be doing his/her job simply looking at the NPS provided by PBS and pronounce the schedule done. The NPS created at PBS does not reflect the needs of any local community except Washington DC.  It reflects a programming staff that has been at PBS too long and no longer understands the needs of local stations and their audience.

That is the primary criteria in selecting the weakest schedule, how much of the NPS does the station air as it is provided by PBS.  Plus, does the station blindly accept the NPS without understanding its impact.  This year’s “winner” does exactly that.

Another factor that affects the contest is ratings.  Although some in the PBS system would like to believe that ratings are not important, they are.  If no one is watching a program or series, no one will provide funding to keep it on the air.  Many PBS stations are just realizing this and adjusting schedules accordingly.  One state network in the South does not air the poorly viewed public affairs programs from PBS on Friday night.  They choose to move them to another time slot and air better and widely viewed programs on Friday.  That is what a PBS member is supposed to do. PBS’ national ratings have been declining for many years.  Even “blockbusters” from PBS fav producer, Ken Burns, has not changed that trend over the course of a year.

Local stations that follow the NPS are having the same fate.  Stations that believe in creating a local schedule are either increasing audience or maintaining their audience.  This year’s winner was following that trend in increasing audience until it decided that it did not need a programming department and blindly following the NPS would be adequate.  The station has lost more than 30% of its audience following that strategy.

So, who is the big “winner?”

The award goes to WQLN in Erie PA.  WQLN wins because it blindly follows the NPS and its audience has been declining steadily for more than a year.  Management at WQLN believes that pledging will help increase it audience.  Even, David Fanning the Executive Producer of Frontline is now disgusted with the amount of pledging and the type of programs.  Mr. Fanning has not seen the amount of time taken away from viewers for pledge and auction at WQLN.  The station pledge more than any station in the country and its decline in members and viewers shows it.

So lacking is any thought given to the schedule and the station so blindly follows the NPS that it hurts the communities it serves by simply being on the air.

During the latest Ken Burns “spectacular”, WQLN aired the first episode of National Parks six times in a twelve hour period.  Why?  Because that is what the NPS had.  WQLN also disrupted loyal viewers by airing the Ken Burns “spectacular” on Saturday afternoon.  Again, disrupting loyal viewers from seeing a “normal” schedule.  This is just a single example of the incompetence of WQLN's board and management.

WQLN wins this award because it has failed.  It has failed its viewers.  It has failed it supporters.  It has failed the communities it serves.  WQLN should cease to exist.  Somewhere in Northwest PA there must be a group that can buy the station and make it serve the community.  The current owner, board and management do not have a clue.  If no one wants to buy it, then turn it off.  If people in Erie PA want public television, there are other ways to see it without WQLN.

Happy New Year!