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KALW manager highlights 75-year history, podcast successes and community partnerships to SFUSD Board
Summary
KALW station manager presented the station—s 75th anniversary report, cited its role developing podcasts (including early hosting of 99% Invisible), discussed listener-supported revenue growth and plans to renovate studios during a temporary relocation.
Matt Martin, station manager for KALW (the district-licensed radio station), presented the station—s annual report and marked its 75th anniversary on the air.
Martin traced KALW—s history as an educational FM station and described the station—s later evolution into a public radio outlet that incubates new talent. He cited the early podcasting success of 99% Invisible (started at KALW) and noted the show has been downloaded more than 30 million times. Martin described the Audio Academy training program that brings new producers into local journalism and highlighted several partnerships, including a Bayview arts series and the San Quentin Prison Report collaboration.
On finances, Martin said about 72 percent of KALW—s operating budget now comes from listeners and reported a positive trend in individual giving and an improvement in unrestricted net assets from under $100,000 in FY2010 to about $600,000 at the end of the most recent fiscal year. He noted the station is temporarily broadcasting from portables during a renovation and plans to invest reserves to upgrade core broadcast equipment and redesign studios to increase production capacity.
Board members asked about how podcasting and new distribution platforms change programming strategy and how KALW relates to larger stations such as KQED. Martin said KALW aims to retain a curatorial role and to use partnerships to reach new audiences while continuing live broadcast and community programming.
Commissioners praised the station for talent development, innovation and community partnerships and thanked KALW for making board meetings accessible to employees and residents who rely on radio.
