-- Innovative service back by popular demand --
“Finally, KQED in northern California has come up with a solution” –The Atlantic
“At last, you can avoid the public radio pledge drive” –CNET
“KQED is offering quite the thank-you gift to listeners” –Current.org
August 24, 2011, San Francisco --- Fundraising drives are critical for the success of listener-supported radio, but KQED recognizes that interruptions to favorite programming can become tiresome after loyal listeners have already pledged their support. With this in mind, KQED is proud to once again offer its audience an innovative thank-you gift: the Pledge-Free Stream.
KQED made history in April when it rolled out this alternative to the classic pledge drive. The Pledge-Free Stream was the first of its kind, the first attempt by any public media station to offer audiences the satisfaction of giving without pledge break interruptions. In a survey sent to donors for the first Pledge-Free Stream, more than 98 percent of users asked KQED to bring it back. Tomorrow, the service will again be made available for the upcoming September fundraiser. By donating $45 before September 8 and choosing the Pledge-Free Stream thank-you gift, members will be able to listen to KQED Public Radio on their computers or smartphones without pledge break interruptions for the duration of the drive.
“The Pledge-Free Stream is a great solution for KQED supporters who know exactly what they want – great content without fundraising interruptions,” stated Donald Derheim, chief operating officer and executive vice president. “KQED strives to create the best public radio experience possible for our listeners, and we’ll continue to explore those alternative funding models that work for our audiences.”
The Pledge-Free Stream continues a history of innovation from KQED. Serving the technologically progressiveNorthern California audience, KQED has itself long been recognized as a leader in the public media system. The station's inventive fundraising techniques, dating back to the 1950s – notably, the concept of audience memberships, pledge nights, and televised auctions – became the national fundraising standard early on in the public broadcasting industry.
*The details