L-A Radio: KPCC Joins List of Stations Making Cuts

Non-Com LAist (KPCC), a Los Angeles area NPR affiliate, is currently facing financial challenges. To mitigate the effects of a multi-million dollar budget shortfall, they have introduced a voluntary buyout program for their employees. 

Here are the key details:

• The buyout is available to all full- and part-time employees who work a minimum of 24 hours per week.
• LAist Chief Content Officer Kristen Muller sent an email to station members, projecting a deficit between $4 million and $5 million over the next two years.
• The financial strain is due to rising costs, including annual dues for national programming and increasing local expenses. Advertising dollars that once supported them are now going to tech platforms like Facebook and Google, resulting in a significant drop in sponsorship revenue.
• LAist is asking for increased donations, which constitute more than two-thirds of their funding.

The situation at LAist reflects broader trends in journalism, particularly in public radio. Other stations, such as KCRW in Santa Monica, KQED in the Bay Area, and WBUR in Boston, have also faced budget challenges and implemented similar buyout programs.