OPB opinions (Portland, Corvallis, Albany: tax, live, bills)

[jksNPDX]

I have listened to NPR for years, most recently in Sacramento. I have been dismayed by the irritating voices of local reporters, music playing in the background of serious reports, the constant repeats of programs, and the huge amount of time given to World and BBC. Are these budget problems?
I have contacted OPB several times in the last 18 months and get no response.
Anybody got inside knowledge?

[Leisesturm]

I don't know if they are budget related or not but I share some of your concerns and opinions. I can't say I have noticed music as a background to news reports but IMO the programming of the music fillers between broadcasts is offkey. Most programming is repeated twice daily and yes, during the last two months there have been an inordinate amount of 're-broadcasts'. My solution: stream the NPR station of your choice into the media player of your choice and connect with news and views programming you do respect and enjoy.

H

[hamellr]

Most likely. OPB here in PDX is great. It does repeat though still, morning shows are repeated during the evening.

[jjpop]

So I guess you think the "irritating voices" and music are the results of budget problems? I guess a person with a really good radio voice would command more money at a for-profit radio network, so OPB's budget can only afford people with less appealing pipes!

Actually, I kind of agree with you. There are a couple of announcers who irritate me (one in particular with the initials A.B.) and some of the music choices seem out of place at times. However, the only time I hear programming from BBC is from 10pm to about 4am.

Small doses of OPB is the answer--maybe limit yourself to an hour or two a day. And if you're not a member, become one so they'll have more money to improve their lineup.

One last thing--when I lived in Corvallis we affectionately referred to OPB as "Only Portland Broadcasting" since the local reporting is so Portland-centric area even though it bills itself as a statewide resource. When they report about Pendleton or Lakeview or even Albany, the reports have the air that they are reporting from someplace that their entire audience is totally unfamiliar with.

[jksNPDX]

I've supported NPR stations for - uh - decades.
So - on a regular day at OPB, we have: "BBC World Service," "World Have Your Say," "BBC Newshour," "The World," and "BBC's The World Today."
A lot of hours out of the day.

[Nell Plotts]

I appreciate global news. Public broadcasting also offers English language news from Australia, South Korea, Russia and eastern Europe (I can't recall which country), and the Commonwealth Club. As I listen in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco the offerings vary slightly. The local news is on TV.

Frankly the voice of the broadcaster is MUCH less important than the content. Diane Rehm Show is a prime example.

Portland has a fantastic public jazz station too.

[TechmanOR]

My opinion:
Stop using my tax money.