WKSU has announced the addition of an often-requested listening option with the debut of a pledge-free stream benefit – just in time for the station’s fall fund drive. The pledge-free content stream replaces typical fundraising talk breaks with more programming. Listeners who become sustaining members with an ongoing monthly donation will now have the ability to listen to WKSU as normal during fund drives.
“Even people who say they don’t mind the fund drive tell us that once they’ve donated, they wish they could skip the fundraising messages,” says WKSU Executive Director Wendy Turner. “That seems fair to me. It’s a bit of a technology hurdle, but we are thrilled to offer this benefit to our active monthly donors.”
WKSU sustainers can access the pledge-free stream multiple ways, including streaming from WKSU.org, through the WKSU mobile app or by using the WKSU Alexa Skill on their Echo or other Alexa-enabled device. Instructions on using the pledge-free stream are posted at WKSU.org.
Ms. Turner says the station truly appreciates all of the members who make a financial investment in WKSU. Individual support from listeners is WKSU’s largest and most important source of income. Monthly sustainers provide additional stability and efficiency to WKSU by creating a regular, reliable funding source with lower administrative costs.
The WKSU pledge-free stream benefits sustainers who consistently support public radio and WKSU. Members who enjoy the excitement and unpredictability of WKSU fund drives are still able to listen with the fundraising breaks intact.