KRCB

Does KRCB produce any local programming?
KRCB produces Telly Award-winner Natural Heroes, the first national television series of independent films on the environment. It focuses on the stories of ordinary citizens who are finding ways to bring clean air and water back to their communities, preserve open spaces, protect endangered species, and ensure that their schools and neighborhoods are healthy. Natural Heroes is airing on 60 stations in a number of major markets and other PBS stations have picked up the series to air in the future.

KRCB Radio 91 aims to reflect the cultural life of the community and as such, it features largely local programming, from broadcasts of the Santa Rosa Symphony to Curtain Call, a weekly program about the arts interviewing artists giving local performances, from Out of the Box, a weekly program featuring new classical CDs to Outbeat Salon, a weekly program focused on lesbian and gay issues. It also emphasizes literary programming with A Novel Idea, Sonoma County’s very own on-air book club. KRCB’s Voice of Youth program is a highly successful project with local high school youth. From classical to folk to jazz, Radio 91 presents music programming not easily found anywhere else.

What is the station’s broadcast area?
In a combination of broadcast range and cable distribution, KRCB Television 22 can be seen as far north as Hopland in Mendocino County, east to include all of Napa County and parts of Solano and Contra Costa counties, and south to encompass San Francisco, South San Francisco, Daly City, and the East Bay through Oakland. KRCB Television 22 has a potential audience of 2.4 million people. Via two satellite systems, KRCB can be viewed throughout the entire Bay Area and beyond.

Radio 91 broadcasts to Northern and Western Sonoma Counties – and internationally on the web. It is also available throughout the Bay Area via Comcast Cable, and Satellite.

How many people watch KRCB Television 22?
KRCB is watched by approximately 152,000 per week.
(Source: Nielsen Media Research for KRCB Public Television for November 2004)

On what channel is KRCB Television 22 located?
Good question! If you are receiving KRCB on an antenna, you will find us on Channel 22. In Santa Rosa, we are on Channel 8. You will find us on Cable Channel 22 in Marin, Napa, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties as well as the city of Oakland, and on DISH Satellite on channel 22 or 8233, and DirecTV on Channel 22.

For the growing number of folks with digital receivers, digital Channel 22-1 broadcasts the same programming as our analog Channel 22. Digital Channel 22-2 broadcasts the Annenberg/CPB Channel for educators. Both channels are only receivable via antenna directed toward Sonoma Mountain, not via cable or satellite.

Where can I find KRCB Radio 91?
KRCB radio can be found on 91.1FM and 90.9FM in Western and Northern Sonoma County.
Comcast Cable 961.

I can listen to Radio 91 on my TV?
You can listen to KRCB Radio on KRCB TV 22’s SAP, or Second Audio Program, which most newer television sets provide. To select the SAP channel on your TV, consult the owner’s manual or call the store where you purchased the television. Generally, the SAP is either a mechanical switch labeled “stereo-mono-sap” or a menu accessed programming function using your remote control.

Why doesn’t radio have the same broadcast coverage as television?
The FCC has licensed KRCB Television and KRCB FM for different coverage areas.

Is KRCB Radio 91 available online?
Absolutely! Go to www.krcb.org/listen and follow the instructions. To download past radio (and TV) programs, click “On Demand” and follow the links.

Who runs the station?
Rural California Broadcasting Corporation, as a nonprofit organization, has a Board of Directors.
Nancy Dobbs is the President and CEO.

How many people are employed by KRCB?
The station employs 36 people, 16 of them full time.

What do they all do?
Even though the station runs “lean and mean,” it takes quite a few hands to see to all of the functions of the station, which includes engineering, programming, production, accounting and support services, archiving, membership, premium fulfillment, auction services, volunteer relations, underwriting, and more.

In addition, volunteers provide a tremendous amount of support to the station. Some volunteers are “regulars,” and may have regular radio programs. Others show up to help with special events, such as television auctions and pledge drives, when there might be as many as 45 or 50 volunteers in the building helping out.

Why do you have to do those pledge drives?
One of the ways we are able to bring you the NPR/PBS favorites and the local programs you love is because of people like you whose membership constitutes one-third of our budget. We can only do so much by mail because the cost is prohibitive, so we use our airtime to show great programs and reach potential and returning members. Besides, there are some great performers and artists who you have a chance to see on pledge specials!

How do I “advertise” on your station?
We call it underwriting or sponsorship and there are specific FCC guidelines on content. Underwriting can either be in the form of cash or a trade for goods or services. Contact Stan Marvin in the Underwriting Department for more information at (707)584-2010.

What is the station’s budget?
For Fiscal Year 2006 the budget is $3.3 million.

Where does the station’s funding come from?
California is one of only eight states that do not provide some sort of direct support for public broadcasting, so KRCB’s funding comes from a variety of other sources. Approximately one third of the FY 2006 budget comes from radio and television membership. One third of the budget comes from business support such as underwriting sales and auction donations. And one third of the funding comes in the form of grants from CPB and other sources.