KQED Television Master Control ChangesKQED Television Master Control Changes

Statement, Myths and Facts 

KQED recently announced a number of permanent cost-cutting measures to confront a growing budget deficit. One of these changes is automating the station’s television master control operations. This change is a technology-based solution that brings significant savings for the station but will have minimal impact on our broadcasting service. Automation has become the industry standard for a station of KQED’s audience size. In fact, KQED is the last remaining public television station in the top ten markets to adopt this service, and four of the five major local television stations in the San Francisco Bay Area market use an automated distribution service.

The National Association of Broadcasting Engineers and Technicians, Local 51 (NABET), which represents the workers affected by this change, is challenging KQED’s decision. While we understand and appreciate the contributions of these employees, the current financial situation leaves us no choice. We take our responsibility as financial stewards of public support very seriously, and leveraging available technology is prudent financial management. Without this change, we would be forced to make deeper cuts affecting other jobs and programs—cuts that would have a greater impact on both our members and audiences.

Myth: KQED is union busting.
Fact: KQED has been a union employer since the 1950s and is committed to honoring its union agreements. Union representation at the station is increasing. All told, about 40% of all KQED staff are represented by either NABET or SAG-AFTRA.

Myth: KQED is outsourcing union jobs.
Fact: KQED is not outsourcing union jobs. The station is investing in an automated technology solution that impacts six engineering roles in television master control operations. We are not hiring workers to do the same work.

Myth: A move to an automated distribution will impact quality of service.
Fact: The change will be imperceptible to viewers. In fact, the change to automation has become the industry standard. KQED is the last major public media station in the top ten media markets to move to an automated television master control service. And four of the five major Bay Area television stations already use one. 

Myth: There is not enough incentive to make this trade-off.
Fact: The move to an automated television master control hub will save KQED $1.5 million annually, on top of an additional $1.5 million in capital expenditures every three to five years. The station is facing a growing deficit largely due to rising expenses and responded with a number of permanent cost-saving changes, including this one.