Determined to find a way forward for public broadcasting following the elimination of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, several notable broadcasters have joined forces to launch the VStar Public Radio Network.

Designed to provide revenue-generating, budget-friendly programming to public radio stations encountering unexpected financial stress in the wake of CPB defunding, the new VStar service is the creation of public broadcasting veteran Dr. James C. King. As Director of Radio at Xavier University for nearly 30 years, King was the driving force behind the growth of WVXU-FM from a 10-watt student operation into the largest privately held public radio network in America.

When CPB was terminated, King decided to emerge from retirement “with the mission to supply 24/7/365 award-winning programming to local radio stations at an affordable price. And that’s how the VStar Public Radio Network came about.”

King’s return to public radio has also attracted several distinguished media professionals to VStar. The leadership team includes:

• David Ashbrock (President/Product Development), a nationally recognized producer/director, editor, animator and project manager with 40 Emmys to his credit;

• Mark Magistrelli (Vice-President/Programming), a Peabody and Emmy-winning producer/writer and host of two of WVXU’s signature shows, When Swing Was King and The Big Broadcast;

• George Zahn (Production Manager), who helped establish the technical foundations of the original WVXU network, is the winner of multiple public broadcasting awards for his work on shows such as Riders Radio Theater; and

• Ted Tegenkamp (Promotion), who studied under King at Xavier University and is now one of the nation’s top promotion producer/writers, creating campaigns at both the national and local level for NBC, Disney and CBS-owned stations.

So why are these vastly experienced, highly recognized media pros choosing to reenter public broadcasting during an unprecedented time of turmoil?

As King explains, “It’s simple. We want to help struggling stations by offering quality programs to their listeners — programs that have proven to be top fundraising attractions — at a modest cost.”

Expanding on the subject, Ashbrock adds, “We’re not led by opportunism. We’re a not-for-profit that wants to offer a helping hand to our public radio colleagues who could benefit from our service. We’re confident that VStar will deliver terrific value to a variety of clients who are hoping to reduce their programming and operating expenses.”

In Magistrelli’s view, the VStar lineup “isn’t in any way intended to replace first-tier NPR services. What we offer is an outstanding array of programming that will complement a station’s current lineup. When combined with NPR and local shows, VStar features can generate extraordinary listener engagement and enthusiasm, resulting in memberships and pledges at levels that often astonish many of our colleagues.”

Our eight-hour program schedule is repeated three times (24/7) and is designed to serve multiple time zones and provide maximum flexibility for individual stations.

Sample the rich variety of our service

Riders Radio Theater

Radio Free Birdland: Vince Giordano

Kaleidoscope

Folk Music or Not?

One Hit Wonders

King offers some technical perspective behind the new VStar service: “The concept is actually rather simple. Delivered by high-quality point-to-point internet connection, VStar will provide a continuous program stream to subscribing stations. Any client station can plug into the network at any time and air the programming for as much or as little as it needs or wants.”

VStar is also engaged in discussions with stations that may require alternative distribution options.

In order to gauge audience and station impact on an ongoing basis, VStar is making its full 24/7 programming service available free of charge to stations willing to serve as beta development partners.

We’re seeking five stations to serve as beta development partners. Qualified beta partners will receive the VStar service for one full year at no cost!

Speaking from his vantage point as one of the top fundraisers (both on the air and behind the scenes) in public radio history, King asserts that “each of the programs in the daily VStar schedule is and has been a proven, fundraising bonanza. Kaleidoscope, Sandman Standards, The Big Broadcast, Audiosyncracies, The Music Shelf, classic radio and the rest continue to produce astonishing levels of loyalty and contributions from listeners!”

VStar president Ashbrock has the final word: “We’d consider our effort a success if our programming helps a handful of stations remain on the air to provide local service to their local listeners.”

For further information about how to partner or join with the VStar Public Radio Network, visit www.vstarnet.org.

If you have questions or comments, send a note to David Ashbrock (dashbrock@vstarnet.org) or Mark Magistrelli (mmagistrelli@vstarnet.org).