Confidence in PBS remains strong –with 77 percent of Americans* rating the network and member stations like ours FIRST in public trust for 21 consecutive years.
Parents also trust us to open worlds of possibilities for every child, with 90 percent* agreeing PBS is a safe place for kids to watch television, play digital games and use mobile apps.
*pbs.org/value
VALUED.
We demonstrate our value to you by telling vibrant stories, nurturing early learners, staging fine arts and music, turning the pages of history, discovering science secrets, embracing new technologies and providing context to the local, national and world news that matters to all of us. Our work reflects the best of Nebraska, and we appreciate the value you place in the programs we produce and share.
We Are Partners in Public Media
We serve you and everyone in our local communities with more than just radio and television. Our multiplatform services reach across the state, educating, informing and inspiring you every day.
TRUSTED. VALUED. ESSENTIAL. These three defining qualities guide our work and our commitment to you.
We keep Nebraskans safe with regional tornado warning broadcasts on our FM radio transmitters.
ESSENTIAL.
Keeping you safe in times of emergency is essential. We relay information for the Emergency Alert System and originate tests and alerts from the Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We also notify other TV and radio stations about Amber Alerts.
“Public media gives us a great sense of fulfillment. It’s the way I imagine the world and America should be.”
Tony, Norfolk
It’s been a successful fiscal year and YOU have made much of what we’ve accomplished possible.
Electricians, contractors and scenic designers have been working alongside our own production and engineering staff to renovate the Ron Hull Studio.
The space is back to a full production schedule, and we are imagining new television programs just for you! Robust local content distinguishes us from other media, and it is an essential part of our value to Nebraska.
Thank you for helping us reach this milestone. Your generous support allows us to set aggressive goals and serve every Nebraskan in the best possible way.
We recently expanded radio service in the Falls City area and our new transmitter will be at full power soon (pending FCC approval). Similar projects will upgrade our radio signals in Columbus, Broken Bow and McCook.
This month marks my last as general manager at Nebraska Public Media. My journey has been fantastic, taking me to public television stations in South Dakota, New York, Illinois and Nebraska. Nebraska Public Media is the ‘best of the best’ and it has been an honor to lead this network during times of dramatic change.
Our next general manager will discover a talented and motivated staff, impressive facilities and a tradition of innovation and excellence. No matter where technology leads us, our engaging storytelling will never go out of style.
I look forward to the next chapter in the history of Nebraska Public Media. I’ll be watching from right here in the state, the place I now call home.
Mark Leonard General Manager/CEO
Wrapping Up Our Biggest Production
Big things happen when you look ahead and see a future full of possibilities.
Early visionaries invested in Nebraska Public Media and with your unwavering support, we’ve found our way to the future once again. The technical upgrades and renovations funded by Imagine the Possibilities: Ron Hull Studio Update will sustain our work in a new era of television.
You’ll see our new studio sets for Backyard Farmer and Big Red WrapUp, but we’re still making behindthe-scenes and creative changes to further enhance your viewing experiences.
We first appeared on your television screens in November 1954 as our fledgling crew produced live television with borrowed equipment and shared studio space.
Hundreds of generous donors supported the studio renovation and the future of our network.
Thank you!
By 1956, we created programs in the basement of the Temple Building on the University of Nebraska’s downtown campus, and later from sites scattered across 14 campus buildings.
In 1969, the legislature approved funding for a state-of-the-art production facility – the heart of our network and the dream of former General Manager Jack McBride. The Ron Hull Studio (formerly Studio One) was the crown jewel, but 50 years took its toll on the timehonored studio and technology outpaced its capabilities.
Your partnership and financial gifts are providing the critical studio infrastructure we need to maintain our position as a strong, independent media resource for generations of Nebraskans.
While much of the construction is complete, we are still awaiting the arrival of additional technology. Meanwhile, our talented teams are experimenting with the new equipment and transformative spaces. Keep watching for more big things to come!
"The new studio is eye-popping. It has all the elements of classy contemporary media without losing the warmth created by using natural materials. The huge screens, the lights and the potential for flexibility will let us have even more fun with our time-honored show.”
Kim Todd, Host Backyard Farmer
COUNTING ON THE FUTURE
During renovations to our studio, we installed nearly 4 MILES of data cable, 1 MILE of conduit and 5 MILES of wire – connecting our entire state with just 10 MILES of material. Across the ceiling, more than 7,200 pounds of flypipe bolsters 193 new LED lighting fixtures which will add depth and drama to your viewing experiences. Our faded studio floors have been stripped and freshly coated with 6 GALLONS of wax.
Backyard Farmer host Kim Todd can touch our new LED screen to zoom in on a breathtaking bloom and Husker highlights on Big Red Wrap-Up will be crystal clear. New flexible components enable advanced set designs to enhance all our local productions. The possibilities are endless, and our creative teams are dreaming of new ways to entertain you.
Trusted Local News
In our 24/7 world, news breaks in seconds. It reaches across the globe, finding your email, smartphone, radio, television and tablet as the ‘big story’ blazes across your screens.
But not every story makes a big headline. Smaller, local stories matter, too.
Our award-winning team of news reporters has strong Nebraska ties and a powerful commitment to trusted journalism for every community, especially those who are sometimes misrepresented.
This public media partnership deepens our community engagement journalism in underrepresented areas, helping us combat the spread of misinformation and distrust in media while sharing audience-focused resources about voting.
The goal is to put people, not preconceived ideas, at the center of our reporting and strengthen the future of local journalism.
We reached 11 million people on Facebook!
81% increase from last year
With a profound passion for our state, they research facts, consult reliable sources and create thoughtful, in-depth reporting that matters to all of us.
You’ll hear about issues like a lack of clean drinking water on the Santee Sioux reservation, statewide news survey results about a crisis facing Nebraska’s volunteer fire departments, controversy over water rights and construction of the Perkins County canal, and a shortage of housing and rising rents in Omaha.
More and more of our small local stories are landing on a big stage. During the past year NPR broadcast 28 of our radio reports to a national audience. Our partnership with Harvest Public Media, and our collaboration with NPR’s Midwest Newsroom create greater capacity for investigative reporting.
And, when the Nebraska Legislature convenes, television broadcasts on our WORLD channel, online streaming and daily radio reports connect you to your state government, from the debate floor and more than a dozen other venues.
Your public media network is ESSENTIAL. We connect Nebraskans to each other and the world.
REACHING NEW AUDIENCES
As we fulfill our mission to report diverse stories, the alternative news publication The Reader and the Spanish-language El Perico digital properties became services of Nebraska Public Media when we acquired them from Pioneer Publishing in Omaha.
BY THE NUMBERS
OUR NEWSROOM PRODUCED
829 NEWS STORIES & OUR TWO RADIO CHANNELS HAD 931,458 NEWS & MUSIC STREAMING SESSIONS STARTED.
CONNECTING CULTURES
Multilingual family events in Fremont drew more than 200 participants and Keene Memorial Library experienced significant growth in families signing up for library cards and checking out Spanishlanguage books.
Thriving Imaginations and Boundless Curiosity
Early learning happens everywhere, every day – and parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. We nurture meaningful partnerships with parents, educators and caregivers to prepare all Nebraska’s children for school and bright futures.
Research confirms our award-winning PBS KIDS television programs, digital experiences and mobile apps are a leading educational resource, and Ready To Learn initiatives promote early learning and school readiness, especially for low-income children and families in underserved communities. Our focus on early learning creates possibilities for every young Nebraskan – with improved education, workforce and life outcomes.
We’re also active in your communities. Family friendly events and take-away materials encourage more learning at home. In 2023, we received a Ready To Learn grant to create a Learning Neighborhood in Fremont, a community approach that is an example for other areas.
The Washington Elementary Dual Language Program and Keene Memorial Library embraced new hands-on learning resources, and together, we are guiding young families as they explore skills such as computational and critical thinking, and everyday functional literacy. With support from grants and members like you, our education department is growing. Based on our work in Fremont, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS awarded a statewide Ready To Learn grant to our network.
New, long-term partnerships will expand learning from school to home to community in meaningful ways, and we’ll work to support Spanish-speaking educators and caregivers.
The Ready To Learn Initiative
LIFELONG LEARNING
Our partnership with the University of Nebraska extends learning in the state to more audiences, as we tell stories about cutting-edge research and brilliant discoveries.
BY THE NUMBERS
IN 20 LOCAL COMMUNITIES, WE ENGAGED MORE THAN 800 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING WITH OUR NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND PBS KIDS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES.
Meticulous Research and Measurements
On the 100th anniversary of the stadium synonymous with Saturdays in Nebraska, our local television documentary
In The Deed The Glory: Memorial Stadium chronicled the college football cathedral’s rich history and enduring significance.
Our look back inspired a vision for the future and the use of cutting-edge technology. Nebraska Public Media Labs and a team of television producers researched and created immersive digital experiences that transport you to Husker football’s early days, including a virtual walk through the stadium as it existed in 1926 and a virtual 2D tour of the building as it stood in 1949.
Sports ignite passion, unite our communities and spotlight the accomplishments of emerging high school and elite college athletes. With production quality rivaling national broadcasts, our goal is to deliver the thrill of the game to you and every home in Nebraska.
On Volleyball Day in Nebraska, more than 92,000 fans packed Memorial Stadium to see the Huskers play the University of Nebraska at Omaha –breaking a world attendance record for women’s sports. Before that game, we broadcast the match between two other powerhouse programs – the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Wayne State College.
We first broadcast Nebraska Volleyball to a statewide audience in 1980, and today, passionate, lifelong fans watch our coverage from the first serve to the final kill.
SCIENCE + SOCIETY
Coaches and players rely on statistics to measure physical development and performance. With ultrasensitive trackers and digital data, training for today’s athletes can be analyzed in unprecedented detail. We produced the digital-only story Where Data and Sports Meet for the NOVA Science + Society project. It examines how athletes, coaches and parents can effectively use data to enhance a young athlete’s performance while minimizing stress. BY THE NUMBERS
69,253
2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
$11,260,000
$4,050,000
$1,850,000
$5,140,000
$2,150,000
$1,300,000
$25,750,000 OPERATING REVENUE OPERATING EXPENSES
$450,000
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS
(Due to limited space within this publication, we are unable to list each of the thousands of members who generously support our network.)
Abel Foundation •
Acklie Charitable Foundation •
Phyllis Acklie •
Fran Acosta-Carlson •
Shelley Albers & John Klindt •
Lynn Amos •
Barbara Lynn Anderson Estate •
Joan M. Anderson Estate •
Linda Anderson •
Tom & Donna* Anderson •
William & Linda Arneson •
Sara & Steve Arnett •
Assurity Life Foundation •
Paul & Anita Bachmann •
Richard W. Bailey •
Donald G.* & Marilyn G. Bartling •
Clifton B. & Anne Stuart Batchelder Foundation •
Rod & Robin Bates ••
Nick & Anne Baxter •
Mogens & Cindy Bay •
Cherie Bayley ••
Dennis Beavers •
Jeffrey W. & Susan L. Beckman •
Robert Beecham & Jan Dutton •
Dale & Sherryl Behrens •
George & Nancy Behringer •
Patricia E. Bennett •
Reba A. & Leon G. Benschoter
Charitable Fund •
Dennis & Charlyne Berens •
William & Rebecca Betz •
Dusty Birge •
Darl Blankenship •
Dr. Allen G.* & Kay L. Blezek
Charitable Fund •
Lynette Block •
Dr. Margaret Block West •
G. Steven Bock •
Betty Bohac •
Andy & Patty Bohart •
Gary & Marylin Bohn •
Jonathan & Katherine Bokenkamp •
Bruce & Linda Boles •
Robert A. & Karen A. Bortz •
Tokey & Eileen Boswell •
Marla Bouton & Roger J. Neil* •
Inez & Jim "Doc" Boyd Family Foundation •
Kate Bradley •
James R. & Carolyn Brandle •
Kristine Brenneis & Rob Shortridge •
Dr. Beth Ann Brooks •
Wm. Frank Brown •
Deborah Buhro •
Marianne Bull •
Dave Burden •
Burden Sales Co. •
Ardis Burkholder •
Cecil Bykerk •
Gerald Caha •
Allen Cameron •
Terry Campbell Estate •
David & Phyllis Carlson •
John & Valene Carlson •
Pam Carrier ••
Ronald M. & Karen L. Case •
FRIENDS OF THE FUTURE SOCIETY
Dr. John Casey •
James & Joan Chambers •
Ken L. & Pat Cheloha ••
Cathy Chia •
Richard Chizek Estate •
Brian & Nancy Christensen •
Laurie Witters-Churchill & Mark Churchill •
Daryl A. Cisney •
Kim Clabaugh •
John & Mary Clark •
Marilyn R. Clark •
Susan Clifford •
Jacque & Alan Collison •
John & Nancy Comer •
Ralph & Dorothy* Conger •
Maurice W. & Cora Conner •
Consolidated Telephone •
Dianne Cook •
Ronald & Vicki Cork •
Connie Coute •
Karna Cronn & John Zimmer •
Trudi Crosby •
Cynthia Anne Solomon Curry •
Bonnie Daenzer •
Linda & John Dahlstrom •
Lora L. Damme •
Scott & Katie Darling •
Chip Davis •
Dolores E. Davis •
Joyce Davis •
Raymond & Betty Deaton Estate •
Blaine D. & Jean Degraff •
Karen Delaney •
Molly Delaney •
Kathy & Harold De Vries •
Terri & Jack Diesing •
Dora & Ken* Dill •
D F Dillon Foundation •
Gloria Dinsdale •
Sharon Doll •
Leslie B. & Karen Domina •
Robert Donahue •
Florence & Joseph Dubas Family Trust •
Anita Ducey & Michael Duggan •
Jay L. & Shirley Dunlap •
Mary Teale Dupuis ••
Sinda Dux ••
Deanna Eden •
Theodore & Cynthia Egging •
Emily & Josh Egley •
Judy Eicher •
M. Eighmy Foundation •
Marilyn Eihusen •
Annette & Russ Eisenhart •
Barbara A. Else •
Valerie Enholm Estate •
Robert & Debbie* Ensz •
Michael & Alice Epstein ••
John & Tonee Erickson •
Janet & Rob Evans •
Timothy & Marleen Evans •
Jason & Andrea Faas •
Marshall Faith •
Peggy & Jerry Fegler •
Matthew & Ann Finkner •
The Friends of the Future Society recognizes donors who establish bequests and planned gifts to the Nebraska Public Media Foundation.
Nancy & Steve Flader •
Frank P. & Patricia S. Fogarty
Memorial Fund •
Jane Fogle ••
Glen & Nancy Forney •
Willa Foster Jones & Richard K. Jones •
Sara M. Foxley •
Virginia Fraser •
Allen T. Freye ••
Tammey & Gene Frick •
Lynne A. Friedewald & Charles Shoemaker •
Friedland Family Foundation •
Lawrence & Joan Friend •
Daniel & Nancy Frohberg •
Richard & Sandra Fruehling •
Carla Frye •
Madalyn Gartlan •
H. Lee & Carol Gendler Charitable Fund •
Georgi Memorial Fund ••
Ruth Wenzl-Gerber •
Maureen Glennon •
Connie S. Glover •
Tim & Jane Goding •
Eunice Goldgrabe •
Shirley Goldstein •
Judy & Jeff Greenwald •
Noah Greenwald •
Priscilla C. & Edward Grew •
Drs. Aileen & G. David Gruendel •
Elsie Grummert •
Fred & Mary Anne Guggenmos ••
Nancy & Andrew Hadenfeldt •
Evelyn Haller •
Cecilia & Tom Hallstrom, Jr. •
Debbie Hamlett •
Heidi & Richard Hammond •
Ibby & John Hancock •
Kathleen Hanna •
Lily G. Hans •
Jim & Suzanne Harder •
Maureen & James Harvey •
Randy & Judy Haug •
The Hawks Foundation •
David & Patti Hayden •
Richard Hays Estate •
James P. Heinke •
Marilyn Hendrickson •
Tom & Candy Henning •
Charlene Henninger ••
B. Keith & Norma F. Heuermann Foundation ••
Mary J. Hewitt •
Janis & Fred Hiatt •
Robert C. Hillestad •
Bradley & Christine Hinton •
Ann & Terry Hoffman •
Carol Hoffman •
Roger A. & Sharon K. Hoffman •
Jack & Sheryl Hohensee •
Sharon & Jim Hollst •
Douglas R. Holmes •
Dan & Alice Holtz •
Jill & Stephen Hornady •
Margaret Hornady-David •
Richard A. & Kathleen Hranac •
JACK G. McBRIDE SOCIETY
The Jack G. McBride Society recognizes donors who contribute annual gifts of $1,200 or more to the Nebraska Public Media Foundation. These gifts enable us to achieve the highest standards for our local productions. It is named for founder and former general manager John “Jack” McBride who led the station for 43 years.
Thank you to our donors who wish to remain anonymous.
Anne Hubbard •
Dr. Robin Huebner •
M. Jane Huerter •
Joan & Paul Humphrey •
Elizabeth Hunt •
Joel F. Hutchins •
Al & Beth Imig ••
Charlotte Ingram •
Mitchell & Karen Inman •
Jacqueline Irwin ••
Sheila Jackson •
Dean & Maria Jacobsen •
Daniel Jaksich & Jayne Timmerman •
Michael James & Linda Esterling •
Tom & Ruth Jamieson •
Paul & Barbara Jansen •
Mary Jasnowski •
Norman & Leann Jernigan •
Bev & Ron Jester •
Jester Family Advised Fund of the Kearney Area Community Foundation •
Darryl & Sue Johansen •
Bruce Johnson & Barbara Hoppe •
Linda K. Johnson, In Memory Of Maureen O’Handley •
Marleen Johnson •
Noreen Johnson •
Virginia & Kile Johnson •
Wayne Johnson •
Charles A. Jones Estate •
Eric & Sylvia Jones •
Jean & David Jones •
Fred Joslin Estate •
Lois Kammerlohr Estate •
Kathleen Kastrick Estate •
Kaufmann-Cummings Foundation •
Ray Kawaguchi & Nancy Gilliland •
Vivian & Fred* Kiechel •
James P. Kineen •
D. W. & Patricia Kingsley •
Marsha & Milton Kleinberg •
Patricia Kneale •
Arthur & Earlene Knox •
Brenda & Steve Koenig •
Tony & Michelle Koester •
Robin & Ann Koozer •
Richard & Joan Kopf •
John F. & Wende Kotouc •
Frank R. Krejci Estate •
Burma Kroger •
Carol E. Krutsinger •
Jack & Marie Kubat •
Evelyn Kubert •
Barbara Lans Estate •
Jean Latham ••
Richard W. & Ruth Laughlin •
Pat Leach & Bill Oberg •
Darlene Leahy •
Audrey Ledgerwood •
Philip J. & Cynthia Lee •
Marlene Leising •
Mark Leonard •
Gifford Leu •
Barb Leuschen •
David & Delores Lewis •
Rachel Lewis •
Chuck & Chris Leypoldt •
Darrell & Kaye Light •
Rita & Loren Lindahl •
Gwen Lindberg •
Dr. Nina M. Little •
Susan B. Lowe •
Lozier Foundation •
Arlene R. Lynn •
Deborah Macdonald •
Marjorie Manglitz •
Pam & John Marchant •
William & Ruth Markhofer •
Jerry & Edith Marlatt •
Annabelle Marsh •
Al & Carla Martin •
Christopher & Erin Masada •
Warren Matson •
Richard Maulsby •
Laurie McAdams •
Kurt & Luann McBride •
Mike & Sandy McCarthy •
Connie McCartney •
Allan & Ladonna McClure •
Thomas McGinn & Annamarie Nagy •
Virginia McGuire •
James McKee & Linda Hillegass ••
Margaret & Mike McMeekin •
Jessica & Joe McMullen •
Heath Mello •
Barbara Meyer •
Mary & Ron Meyer •
Stephen & Patsy Meyer •
Kevin J. Miller •
Mary Mitchell-Cole •
James A. & Cynthia Mohl •
Elaine Monnier •
David & Marilyn Moore •
Richard & Patricia Morin •
Heidi Moser •
Dan & Angie Muhleisen •
Janie & Dan Mullanix •
Dean & Judi Muller •
Richard & Joyce Myers •
Robert & Phyllis Narveson •
RJ & Liz Neary •
Robert L.* & Mary Nefsky •
Stephen H. & Phyllis R. Nelsen •
The William A. & Norma Nelson Foundation •
Jeffrey Nelson •
W. Don & Andrea Nelson •
Phyllis H. & E. Robert Newman Endowment •
Edith Niederhoefer Estate •
Wayne & Wanda Nielsen ••
Jim Nora & Julie Filips •
Normil Foundation •
Glenn & Patricia Ohlmann ••
David Olson & Lynn Scott •
Eyde Olson •
Karen Olson •
Loy & Julie Olson •
Nancy Olson •
Stanford Olson •
Dan & Judy O'Neill •
George & Linda Orr •
Don & Rita Otis •
Judith Ottmann •
Mary Owens •
Daniel Packard •
Nancy Packard •
Owen A. Paulson •
Rodger & Kay Payne •
Sharlene Pekny •
Michele Peón-Casanova •
Kitty M. Perkins Foundation •
Bradley & Lynn Perry •
Karen Peters •
Mary A. & Carl Peters •
Cary & Lisa Peterson •
Ryan Peterson •
Homer & Margaret Pierce •
Esther & Raleigh Pilster Foundation •
Lewis & Winifred Pinch •
Audrey & Michael Pitcher •
Gale & Julie Pokorny •
Joe Poleck Estate •
Susan & Steve Pozehl •
Walter & Sandra Price •
Kathie Putensen •
John Putnam Estate •
Mary Kay Quinlan • Benjamin & Barbara Rader •
William & Patricia J. Ramsay •
Danny Ransdell •
Curt Ratliff •
Sally Millett Rau •
Linda & John Rehberg •
David & Linda Rehovsky •
John & Claudia Reinhardt ••
Jane Renner Hood •
Kay Richter & Diane Wilson •
Charles & Laureen Riedesel •
Dean & Rose Ringlein ••
Patricia & Phyl Rippen •
John Roth • *Deceased Our network won 27 local, regional and national awards.
Ricketts-Shore Charitable Fund •
Cameron Risher, In Memory Of Paul D. Risher •
Steve Lindsay & Karla Ritter-Lindsay •
Norman Rohlfing •
Jane Rohman •
Lynn & Dana Roper •
Bill & Jeanne Ross •
Nebraska Public Media allows me to think globally and act locally in rural Nebraska. Shelly & Dean, Cambridge
