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Public Radio for Northeast Texas
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Frequently Asked Questions

If you can't find the answer here, contact us. We'll be happy to help!

GeneralWhat’sthe difference between public radio and commercial radio?
Where is KETR located?
How far does your signal reach?
How is KETR funded?
Can you announce my event on the air?
Do you give tours?
I’m working on an audio project. Can I come by and use your studios and/or staff to work on it?
Do your announcers do voice-over work?
Can my organization get one of your announcers or personalities to come emcee our event or function?
Do you have full recordings of sports broadcasts I can download?
How do I follow you on twitter or like you on Facebook?

Underwriting and Corporate Support
What’s the difference between underwriting announcements and commercials?
Can underwriting be used as a tax write-off?
Do we need to send you pre-produced underwriting spots?
What kind of language can we use in our announcement?
What kind of language is NOT allowed in an underwriting announcement?
Can we use more than one messaging campaign for our broadcast order?
Can I buy a web banner at ketr.org?
Do you offer remote broadcasts?

News
What sort of news do you cover?
Do you take tips or leads from public submissions?
I have a news item I think deserves airtime. To whom should I send it?
I’d like to request that KETR News interview me. How does that work?
I heard some news that might contain an inaccuracy. Whom should I contact?
Why do you interrupt programming for severe storms when all storms don’t affect all listeners?

Programming
What kind of music do you play, and when?
I’m a musician/songwriter. How can I submit my music to Your Station for airplay consideration?
I liked a song I heard. Is there a way to find out information about the artist or title?
How do I make a request?
What’s the difference between locally produced shows and syndicated programming?

Membership and Individual Support
How can I become a supporting member of KETR?
What’s so cool about being a Friends of KETR member?

What are some other ways I can contribute to KETR?

Is my contribution tax-deductible?

How do I set up a payroll deduction?

How much do KETR members contribute?

Can I buy a membership for someone else?

When will my incentive gift arrive?
My contact information has changed. To whom do I report this?

I am current member. Why am I receiving renewing notices before my renewal month?

Why did I receive another renewal notice? I’ve already sent in my contribution.

Will my employer match my gift?

Can I issue a matching gift challenge?

What is a sustaining membership?

I’m a Sustainer and I need to update my credit card information. How do I do this?

What is the Loyalty Circle?

What are Community Partners?

What if I have a question that is not on this list?

General

What's the difference between public radio and commercial radio?

  • Public radio, also called non-commercial radio, is a place in the radio spectrum for programming that serves the public. This can be by way of educational programming, unbiased journalism, music that is less mainstream like Jazz or Classical, or even community-oriented programs. The FCC does not allow public radio stations to sell advertising messages designed to entice you, the listener, to do something.
  • Commercial broadcasting (and most other media, for that matter) is quite the opposite – programming content is designed to accumulate the largest possible audience, and then those organizations sell that audience (you, the listener) to the advertisers.

Where is KETR located?

  • KETR’s studios and offices are on the first floor, east wing of historic Binnion Hall on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce. The physical and mailing addresses can be found on the Contact Us page.

How far does your signal reach?

  • KETR’s 100,000 watt FM signal can generally reach nearly 80 miles in all directions out from Commerce, TX. The quality of the signal can sometimes be affected by topographical anomalies like lakes or hills, but KETR’s been heard consistently in Hugo, OK, Canton, TX, Garland, TX,  Mt. Vernon, TX, and all areas in between.

How is KETR funded?

  • The largest portion of KETR’s operating budget comes from a Community Service Grant made by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. KETR remains eligible for that grant based on its ability to raise money from individuals and community-minded businesses and corporations in Northeast Texas, which make up the next largest piece of the pie. KETR also receives salary appropriations and minor operational support of its host institution, Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Can you announce my event on the air?

  • We can. The process involves your posting as much information about the event as you can at our online community calendar. If the event is a not-for-profit venture, our on-air hosts will reference this information multiple times daily and instruct listeners to learn more at our website. If the event is for-profit or otherwise not open to the entire public, we generally will instead encourage a visit with our corporate support staff in order to help you accomplish your business goals.

Do you give tours?

I’m working on an audio project. Can I come by and use your studios and/or staff to work on it?

  • We can help. Our production studios can be made available by appointment, and generally not for more than one hour at a time. A reservation will include a 10-minute equipment orientation by a KETR staff person. If your project requires a KETR staff person to produce audio on your behalf, a nominal $10/hour charge will apply. Additionally, rights to any and all works produced at KETR belong solely to KETR. We disallow commercial or other for-profit audio projects at KETR.

Do your announcers do voice-over work?

  • They do! Please call KETR’s business office (903-886-5848) to schedule a discussion of the scope of the project and any potential pricing.

Can my organization get one of your announcers or personalities to come emcee our event or function?

  • We’d love to emcee your event. Our staff brings a great deal of personality to any live function. Please call our business office (903-886-5848) to discuss details. A hard minimum of one month’s notice is required for any scheduling of KETR staff.

Do you have full recordings of sports broadcasts I can download?

  • A limited selection of recorded sports broadcasts are available for purchase, and are provided on CD or thumb drive, for a price of $20. Please call our business office (903-886-5848) to inquire about selected dates or games.

How do I follow you on twitter or like you on Facebook?

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Underwriting and Corporate Support

What’s the difference between underwriting announcements and commercials?

  • Underwriting announcements are FCC-required indications to the listening audience of who is helping to foot the bill for the programming you're listening to. It's a thank-you to our corporate sponsors. Endorsement flows from the sponsor to the station. With commercials, on the other hand, endorsement flows from the station to the sponsor. In a commercial, a station has been paid to tell you about a product or service. In noncommercial underwriting, we're simply letting you know which corporate interests, if any, help fund the programming. See our Underwriting Guidelines.

Can underwriting be used as a tax write-off?

  • Underwriting on KETR is a charitable contribution to a non-profit foundation that benefits KETR. We encourage you to check with your tax professional with regard to tax implications.

Do we need to send you pre-produced underwriting spots?

  • KETR is 100% responsible for its own license, and as such, reserves the right to edit or reject any underwriting announcement based on content or other production elements. KETR does not charge for copywriting, and encourages businesses to let our professional staff help craft the underwriting message we’ll present to KETR’s listeners. See our Underwriting Guidelines.

What kind of language can we use in our announcement?

  • If your business is for-profit: You may include who you are, where you’re located, what you do, and contact information. In many cases, we can include a well-established ‘tag line.’ Those are the basics, and we employ a skilled creative staff to help meet your needs with regard to radio copy.
  • If your business is not-for-profit, the FCC has a more relaxed set of rules, but the messages must still meet KETR’s guidelines for content and quality. See our Underwriting Guidelines.

What kind of language is NOT allowed in an underwriting announcement?

  • For-profit business underwriting messages are prohibited by the FCC and KETR guidelines from including overtly promotional language/content, comparative language (“the best,” “the oldest,”) calls to action (“come by,” “call,” “visit,”) etc. Our staff can help craft a quality message that meets these standards. See our Underwriting Guidelines.

Can we use more than one messaging campaign for our broadcast order?

  • Absolutely yes! A single order can contain multiple messages, and those messages can be scheduled by the time of day, day of week, month, etc. The possibilities are endless. Additional charges may apply.

Can I buy a web banner at ketr.org?

  • KETR manages its online presence at ketr.org. If you’re interested in providing a banner ad for KETR.org, please contact our staff (903-886-5848) to learn more about pricing. If you cannot supply your own artwork, there is currently a nominal surcharge for graphic design, as needed.

Do you offer remote broadcasts?

  • Yes. KETR already broadcasts live from many community events and locations throughout the year. If you’d like to schedule a live broadcast or other visit from KETR at your not-for-profit location, please contact us to get the ball rolling. KETR needs at least one month’s notice to schedule off-site broadcasts.

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News

What sort of news do you cover?

  • KETR News strives to highlight stories that impact the lives of our listeners. We are committed to informing you of the latest and relevant municipal government, school, public safety, community development and crime-related news event. KETR also feels it is important to touch on lighter news stories that can inspire, intrigue and influence.

Do you take tips or leads from public submissions?

  • We do. Remember to submit as much detail as possible when sharing news tips, i.e. location, date, time, witnesses, contact info, etc. Email tips to news@ketr.org, or call 903-886-5334.

I have a news item I think deserves airtime. To whom should I send it?

  • Send it to KETR News. Contact info is here.

I’d like to request that KETR News interview me. How does that work?

  • Submit your request, including any and all supporting information, to KETR News. Please know that KETR News is unable to conduct every interview that is requested, and follow up time is often a few weeks out. Timeliness is a factor. If you know there’s event coming up that would add relevance to an interview, please submit the request sooner rather than later.

I heard some news that might contain an inaccuracy. Whom should I contact?

Why do you interrupt programming for severe storms when all storms don’t affect all listeners?

  • KETR takes severe weather very seriously. We provide important, and in some cases, LIFE-SAVING information to people who may not have a reliable alternative source. In our experience, commercial media organizations in DFW have to make tough decisions about how much broadcast time is dedicated to Northeast Texas, which is a relatively small portion of their audience. KETR is not beholden to commercial advertising dollars, and chooses instead to prioritize the safety and informed status of its listeners over any programming schedule. KETR will always interrupt regularly scheduled programming to share vital severe weather information as soon as our staff is aware. In particularly severe or dangerous instances, KETR will offer non-stop weather coverage until the storm(s) has vacated KETR’s primary listening region, which includes Hunt county and all contiguous counties.

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Programming

What kind of music do you play, and when?

  • KETR's Notably Texan plays anything from Adult Contemporary and Triple A format music to country and western music to jazz, bluegrass, afro-cuban beats, rap, R&B, satire, dub-step, electronica, big band, polka, blues, gospel, and many more genres. We take seriously our choice to provide music and artists that represent a healthy mix of mainstream and off-the-beaten-path.

I’m a musician/songwriter. How can I submit my music to Your Station for airplay consideration?

I liked a song/topic I heard. Is there a way to find out information about the artist/title/subject?

  • Call 903-886-5840. Or better yet, send an email! Kevin will almost always be able to answer. At the very least, you’ll need to provide the DAY and approximate TIME you heard it.

How do I make a request?

  • Call the studio! 903-886-KETR (5387.) Requests are limited to real-time locally produced music programs, typically midday music hours (weekdays from 11a-2p.) Requests meant for other locally produced programs may be made by contacting that program’s host.

What’s the difference between locally produced shows and syndicated programming?

  • Locally produced shows are written and created in KETR’s studios, or by KETR’s local staff and volunteers. Syndicated programming originates from places other than 88.9 KETR, like NPR’s hourly newscasts, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, etc. Those great programs and hosts provide that content to many stations throughout the US and the world.

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Membership and Individual Support

How can I become a supporting member of KETR?

  • There are a few different ways. You can use our online form, which is probably the fastest method, and you’ll be a member in less than 3 minutes. In about the same amount of time, you can call us at 903-886-5841 and let us know you’re ready to become a member. You can also mail in a contribution to 88.9 KETR-FM, PO Box 4504, Commerce, TX, 75429. Finally, KETR offers a payroll deduction program for specific employers. Contact us to find out more. KETR accepts all major credit cards, checks, money orders and even electronic debit. 

What’s so cool about being a Friends of KETR member?

  • Well, first off, you’re helping to provide KETR’s programming to a potential 205,000 homes in our community. Many people rely on KETR for news, especially weather information, but cannot afford to contribute to these efforts. KETR’s members help offset those costs. Also, for many of KETR’s members, it’s the primary method of charitable giving, and there are positive tax implications for them. KETR’s members support local, unbiased journalism, commercial-free entertainment, and a professional environment in which upcoming students in broadcasting and journalism can pursue their dreams.

What are some other ways I can contribute to KETR?

  • KETR accepts gifts of property, vehicle donations, stocks, etc. And we encourage you to contact our individual membership department about setting up a bequest to leave a lasting legacy here in Northeast Texas.

Is my contribution tax-deductible?

  • Yes, to the extent allowed by law. Please check with your tax professional.

How do I set up a payroll deduction?

  • If you are a TAMU-C employee and would like to set up a monthly, sustaining donation to KETR through payroll deduction, please contact KETR's development office at 903-886-5841 or support@ketr.org.

How much do KETR members contribute?

  • On average, KETR members contribute about $120 annually. However, gifts to KETR can range from $10 to $10,000 or more. KETR doesn’t set a minimum for membership, but simply asks for a gift that fits into your budget and is meaningful to you.

Can I buy a membership for someone else?

  • Yes! Giving the gift of membership is a great way to share the positives of your own membership with someone who hasn’t yet decided to commit. We have many members whose costs are covered by other members. Choosing to give the gift of membership is an option on our online form, or you can call to make the arrangements at your earliest convenience – 903-886-5841.

When will my incentive gift arrive?

  • If you made a qualifying contribution to KETR and selected a thank you gift, like the KETR ball cap or the KETR reusable tote bag, we’ll generally get those to you within 4-6 weeks after we receive your first payment. If you’re expecting to receive a package from KETR and haven’t yet, please contact our development department at 903-886-5841 or support@ketr.org.

My contact information has changed. To whom do I report this?

  • As soon as you can, please contact our development department at 903-886-5841 or email support@ketr.org. Please let us know if you have moved, changed your name, phone number, mail, email address, or made any other changes to your personal information.

I am a current member. Why am I receiving renewal notices before my renewal month?

  • We want to keep you informed with what is going on at KETR as well as assisting you in budgeting for your charitable gifts. We mail you a few months before your membership expires to remind you to renew. When you renew, your new membership year will begin on the date of your gift.

Why did I receive another renewal notice? I've already made my contribution.

  • Our apologies and thanks if you recently sent it your renewal contribution. Sometimes, renewal notices are sent before our membership department receives your gift. If you have any questions about mail notices or your membership, please contact the office at 903-886-5841 or at support@ketr.org.

Will my employer match my gift?

  • They may. Please check with your employer’s human resources department to find out.

Can I issue a matching gift challenge?

  • Yes! During KETR’s pledge drives, when you issue a challenge, you’ll match each gift that comes in dollar-for-dollar until the match amount is met. It’s a great way to help KETR encourage our listeners to become members by essentially doubling their gift. 

What is a sustaining membership?

  • KETR sustainers are members who give a set amount each month, usually on their credit card, and whose membership renews automatically each year. As a sustainer, you won’t have to worry about your membership  expiring. Sustaining memberships save KETR mailing, postage, and administrative costs, ensuring your gift goes directly into funding our programming.

I'm a sustainer and I need to update my information. How do I do this?

  • As soon as possible, please contact our membership department at 903-886-5841. We’ll be happy to update your information.

What is the Loyalty Circle?

  • The Loyalty Circle is the “society” for our donors who give between $250-$999 annually. They receive special recognition and benefits in return for their generous support. For more information about the Loyalty Circle, click here.

What are Community Partners?

  • Community Partners are businesses that are members of KETR with an annual donation of $500 per year. Being a Community Partner benefits both KETR and your business, including announcing that your business supports KETR once a week on-air. For more information about the Community Partners, please click here.

What if I have a question that is not on this list?

  • Please feel free to contact our membership department at 903-886-5841 or support@ketr.org for questions regarding KETR membership.

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