by Gil Carroll
CKUW Fundrive, kicking off February 7, 2014, is the annual push to raise funds in order to cover operating costs, produce new community programs, and secure the future of the University of Winnipeg’s community station.
“During Fundrive, people can show support for their favourite shows and help us keep doing what we love,” says Seamus Hamilton Paterson, host of Static on the Prairies.
“In turn, it’s up to us to make them want to donate through special live performances, incentives and anything else that helps us make our Fundrive shows special every year,” he adds.
Last year CKUW was ecstatic to reveal that with the support of the listener community, it was able to surpass its initial fundraising goal, bringing in an impressive $57,518 from donations.
This year, Fundrive is hoping to exceed that total.
“The majority of the money that keeps CKUW alive is funded through our listeners from this time of the year,” says Ginaya Jesmer, co-host of CKUW’s Only Cowards Sing at Night.
“Not only is it great to feel supported by the community, but it also allows us to rely less on the use of commercial ads.”
Decreasing the reliance on commercial ads is one of the major goals of Fundrive. In fact, this coming year, the station is hoping to completely eliminate the need for commercial ads.
In order to do so, the committed and loyal CKUW volunteer show hosts and DJS are planning what needs to be the most epic Fundrive in the history of the station.
Eliminating all advertising will be a massive leap forward. It will set CKUW apart from every other station in the city, and cement its uniqueness on the airwaves. It will mean that CKUW will exist as an entirely community-listener driven radio station, and creativity and expression will be put at the forefront.
Show hosts will be able to use their entire slot for their content, be it music, talk, radio drama or interviews. This will result in a greater value and a better experience for all listeners, opening up the station to uninterrupted artistic expression.
Not only do the music themed shows benefit from being ad-free, the flow of the discourse in the spoken word as well as political based programs would be uninterrupted, a great advantage for the hosts and the listeners.
Robin Eriksson, CKUW Program Director, is excited about the prospect of going ad free.
“It will be making a statement for the broadcasting spectrum,” she says. “Ultimately, achieving this goal leads to empowerment.”
CKUW is teaming up with Stylus Magazine to kick off Fundrive with a rocking show at Winnipeg’s new favourite venue, Union Sound Hall, on February 6th. With hopes of cashing in on indie rock’s newfound obsession with surf rock revivalists, the show is called “Surfing the Airwaves,” and features The Catamounts, Valley Girl Special, and Palm Trees.
Check out Fundrive programming on CKUW 95.9 FM from February 7 through 14. You can pledge by calling 204-774-6877 or online at fundrive.ckuw.ca