Q and A’s with GPB

“GPB does not look at WRAS as losing money as we look at our TV and radio network statewide as a whole.”

State-run Georgia Public Broadcasting’s audit for the last fiscal year was finally released earlier this month.

It showed a positive Net Position overall and in public meetings GPB has described record fundraising.

But a Statement of Activities by Corporation for Public Broadcasting Grantee showed a loss in radio.

A look through previous audits including similar forms, audits for FYs 2018–2022, all show a loss under one of its radio CPB grantees ranging from $360,000 to $4 million.

GPB began directly competing with Atlanta’s longtime independent NPR affiliate WABE in 2014 after a controversial agreement with Georgia State University gave the state network daytime control of the student-funded college radio icon WRAS.

I asked GPB via email to clarify. Here’s the full Q and A:

Question: The audit includes a Schedule 10 Statement of Activities by CPB Grantee. The column for WJSP-FM indicates a loss of $1.2 million. My understanding was that GPB accounts for its operations on WRAS in Atlanta through WJSP. A look through previous audits including Schedule 10 forms, audits for FYs 2018–2022, all show a loss under WJSP ranging from $360,000 to $4 million. Am I reading them accurately?

Answer: You are correct. We are required by CPB to report our revenue and expenditures on Schedule 10 by licensee. Each year we compile the annual financial report and use a ratio or percentage to report numbers consistently for TV, WJSP and WUGA.

Question: In looking through a CPB Annual Financial Report I see notes saying “Split WRAS underwriting revenue between both licensees WJSP and WUGA in FY21.”

How are GPB’s operations on WRAS accounted for in relation to CPB grant eligibility?

Answer: WRAS is associated with WJSP and WUGA licensees as that programming is broadcast statewide. WRAS revenue is not eligible for non-federal financial support (NFFS) and is excluded from any CPB grant calculation.

Question: WJSP is licensed to the Columbus area. Does GPB have hosts, reporters, or content creators in Columbus?

Answer: No, there are no staff in Columbus.

Question: Is WUGA’s local programming funded through GPB or the University of Georgia?

Answer: WUGA schedules unique local programming that is not broadcast by GPB and that is funded by the university. In general, NPR dues for WUGA are paid by GPB with the CPB grant GPB receives for WUGA FM.

Question: Is CPB grant funding used for WRAS in Atlanta?

Answer: No, there is no CPB grant funding for WRAS.

Asked in a follow up email if it was accurate to say GPB has lost money on its WRAS operations, GPB replied:

“GPB does not look at WRAS as losing money as we look at our TV and radio network statewide as a whole. WJSP and WUGA licensees represent all 20 stations across the state with WRAS being a piece of that network. As required for CPB reporting purposes, we separate the financials accordingly. All revenue is aggregated to provide the services to our constituents and serve our mission as a non-profit.”

The audit detailed a deficiency in accounting for some assets due to staff turnover which GPB acknowledged.

New in this year’s audit was a breakdown in revenues GPB receives for Tower and Office rentals.

Fox News began leasing space in GPB’s Atlanta headquarters in 2004, soon after Republicans gained control of the state government. The current lease is listed as ending in June of this year.

After its January public meeting I asked GPB’s President Bert Wesley Huffman about Gov. Kemp’s newest board appointments and its relationship with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: