[grc] Santa Cruz -- KUSP goes off the air

[Tom Voorhees]

One more reason why all five Pacifica stations need to survive.
Tom

LACKING A BUYER AND SHORT ON FUNDS, KUSP GOES OFF THE AIR

http://current.org/2016/08/lacking-a-buyer-and-short-on-funds-kusp-goes-off-the-air/

KUSP-FM in Santa Cruz, Calif., ended on-air and online broadcasting at
midnight Sunday, struggling under a massive debt load and unable to find a
buyer. 

“This decision reflects the reality of the station's financial situation;
we simply cannot afford to broadcast any longer,” said Matt Farrell,
president of the station’s board, in a press release. “The decision
does not reflect what KUSP might have become given different financial
circumstances, nor is it a reflection of the excellent work General Manager
Alex Burke has done as the station's sole employee in recent months.” 

The station has broadcast for nearly 45 years on air, and online for more
than 20. Last fall, it adopted a Triple A format to differentiate its
programming from that of KAZU in nearby Pacific Grove and to save money by
dropping NPR programming. 

But in May, with about $700,000 in debt, the station decided to cut its
staff [1] and hire a station manager to keep the station running and meet
FCC requirements. The board of the Pataphysical Broadcasting Foundation,
which owns KUSP’s license, approved a sale of the station [2]. 

But KUSP hasn’t found a buyer. Last year the station pursued a sale to
California’s Classical Public Radio Network [3] but abandoned the
possible deal [1] after receiving a donation that allowed it to experiment
with the Triple A format. In 2014 it explored a partnership with an
undisclosed public broadcaster, but the deal fell through. A potential
merger with KAZU [4] in 2008 also fizzled. 

“The Board will continue to search for a buyer and is evaluating
remaining options in light of financial issues facing the station,” the
press release said. 

KUSP’s license to broadcast will expire if it remains off air for 12
consecutive months. 

FILED UNDER:

	* Quick Takes [5]
	* KUSP [6]

RELATED STORIES

	* 

FOUNDATION MEMBERS APPROVE SALE OF KUSP [2]

Station staff will be laid off Friday. 
	* 

KUSP-FM BOARD RECOMMENDS SALE AS STATION CUTS ENTIRE STAFF [1]

Members of the station's foundation will vote on the sale Wednesday. 
	* 

KUSP TO GO TRIPLE A AS BOARD TAPS FERRARO FOR TURNAROUND [7]

Ferraro, formerly g.m. of WYEP in Pittsburgh, was named interim g.m. at the
California station. 



Links:
------
[1] http://current.org/2016/05/kusp-fm-board-recommends-sale-as-station-cuts-entire-staff/
[2] http://current.org/2016/05/foundation-members-approve-sale-of-kusp/
[3] http://current.org/2015/05/californias-kusp-fm-considers-way-out-of-unstable-finances/
[4] http://current.org/2008/03/stations-court-flirt-propose-and-part-by-monterey-bay/
[5] http://current.org/category/quick-takes/
[6] http://current.org/tag/kusp/
[7] http://current.org/2015/09/kusp-to-go-triple-a-as-board-taps-ferraro-for-turnaround/