Special message from the CEO

Dear Members and Viewers,

First and foremost, thank you for standing by WTVP. For over 50 years this community has rallied around the station – ensuring that our signal never goes dark. You have been there for WTVP, tirelessly volunteering at events, auctions, community screenings, and generously giving during our membership drives! And we have been there for you… in your homes, teaching your little ones their A-B-Cs, inspiring you to try a new recipe, pick up a paint brush, or lean into local issues. WTVP is your local station. And we are so grateful for this community!

Today marks a unique moment in WTVP’s history. A moment where we are asking our viewers and members to sustain us at a greater level than ever before, without the assistance of federal funding. As many of you are aware, Congress recently passed the HR 4 Recission Package which includes clawing back previously approved funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting to fund PBS stations across the country like WTVP. Historically, funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting has made up about 30% of WTVP’s budget, currently about $1 million per year.

At WTVP we are not afraid of entering these new waters because WE BELIEVE that what we provide for the community is essential. In 1961, Newton Minnow, Chief of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declared television to be a vast wasteland, saying “when television is good…nothing is better, but when television is bad nothing is worse.”  If television in 1961 was seen as a wasteland – then I would be so bold to claim that today’s media landscape is an endless field of landmines exploding toxic, bad-for-you, anxiety-inducing, purposeless, and harmful content that is unfortunately accessible to any youth with internet access.

What we watch has the power to fill us up or drag us down; to educate us or to distract us; to engage us with our community or to close us off from the very people who surround us. This is why our community needs WTVP. Screens are increasingly a part of our lives. WTVP provides a safe and compelling space that turns “screen time” into a space where families can connect, where individuals can learn, and everyone in our community can stay engaged with what’s going on right here in central Illinois.  

As your local public broadcasting station, there is so much good that we can and will continue to do for this community – and with you, our future will be bright! I invite you to attend our first We Believe in WTVP – Community Meet-Up here at the station on Friday, July 25^th at 9:00am. This will be an opportunity for you to ask your questions and hear directly from me and our board chairman, John Wieland, regarding our station’s future. You will also have an opportunity to record your own “I BELIEVE in WTVP” message for broadcast! Space is limited, so please take a moment to let us know if you plan to attend.  

With gratitude,
Jenn Gordon 

The station you love is not going anywhere! But with historic federal funding gone, we are looking to the community to join us in the WE BELIEVE in WTVP campaign to fuel a strong future. When you increase your giving, become a member for the first time, or double your donation, your gift will be matched – up to $300,000! 

Thank you for helping us close the gap and keep our station strong!