Financial Maturity

Fed on the milk of tax-based money in its infancy, public radio has grown into a more substantial and sustainable diet.

It is most nourished today by the listeners it serves. Businesses render sustenance as well. Many parent institutions still contribute to the welfare of their adolescents; but increasingly they’re asking their offspring to contribute to their well being.

Maturation Milestones

• 1988 Tax-based subsidies account for more than half of public radio’s revenues for the last time.

• 1990 Individual giving eclipses federal funds distributed through CPB.

• 1992 Business support eclipses federal funds distributed through CPB.

• 1994 Audience-sensitive income eclipses all tax-based subsidies combined and becomes public radio’s largest revenue source.

• c. 1998-9 For the first time audience-sensitive income generates more than half of public radio’s revenue.

– David Giovannoni
AUDIENCE 98 Core Team

Audience Research Analysis
Copyright © ARA and CPB.  All rights reserved.
Revised: September 01, 2000 12:38 PM.