FISCAL YEAR 2024 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
VISION: Ideastream Public Media is indispensable and highly valued for its unique ability to enrich our community.
MISSION: Ideastream Public Media is a trustworthy and dynamic multimedia source for illuminating the world around us.
FISCAL YEAR 2024 OVERVIEW
“What is Ideastream?” In Fiscal Year 2024, Ideastream Public Media sought to answer that question by clearly demonstrating how we serve Northeast Ohio through trustworthy journalism, inspiring arts and culture programming, timeless music and enriching educational services. This year, we proudly introduced Ideastream News, Ideastream Entertainment, Ideastream Music and Ideastream Learning. These four key descriptors guided our content via radio, television and digital platforms.
Ideastream News is Northeast Ohio’s trusted source for local journalism that provides in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to the region. Our 2024 election coverage, Listen. Engage. Vote., provided essential information and resources to help Ohioans make informed decisions. Furthermore, we elevated local and underrepresented voices through Sound of Ideas Community Tours, the engaged journalism Sound of Us series and Today from The Ohio Newsroom segments.
Ideastream Entertainment informs and inspires audiences with quality programming for all ages, offering acclaimed dramas, mysteries, science and educational content. In August 2024, we hosted two memorable events in Cleveland and Akron with the Emmy-winning PBS chef, Lidia Bastianich. We also premiered The 89th Annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, an original documentary celebrating the only national juried prize for literature addressing racism and diversity.
Ideastream Music shines a spotlight on Northeast Ohio’s musical culture, fostering appreciation and a deeper connection to the sounds that shape the community. In February 2024, we launched JazzNEO – Northeast Ohio’s premier 24/7 jazz station. Throughout the year, we engaged with audiences at local cultural events, including PorchROKR Music and Art Festival in Akron, as well as our Third Thursdays concert series at Transformer Station.
Ideastream Learning serves educators, caregivers, and young learners across Northeast Ohio ensuring that children have access to resources that enrich their development. As the region’s source for PBS KIDS programming, we presented Be My Neighbor Day at Cleveland Public Library with Daniel Tiger, and Pop Up Story Hours at local libraries with hands-on activities and more. Our original documentary, You Are Welcome, explored positive school climates and was broadcast statewide.
These Fiscal Year 2024 initiatives – from the captivating programs to trustworthy reporting to timeless music – were made possible because of you. At a time when public media is facing growing challenges, your support sends a clear message: our service to the community matters. Thank you for standing with us and for being a vital part of our mission.
Kevin E. Martin
President and CEO
David D. Legeay
Board Chair
Ideastream News is Northeast Ohio’s trusted source for local journalism. With a dedicated team, Ideastream News provides in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to the region. Local voices are amplified through Sound of Ideas Community Tours and the engaged journalism Sound of Us series. From government and education to arts and culture, Ideastream News highlights the stories that make Northeast Ohio unique.
SOUND OF IDEAS
COMMUNITY
TOURS
Ideastream’s public affairs program, Sound of Ideas, focused on Northeast Ohio news. The team hosted four panel discussions, convening hundreds of people during our community tours. Experts and residents shared their thoughts on wealth and power, the total solar eclipse, local jazz and Akron’s innerbelt.
FOUR TOURS were broadcast locally on radio and statewide on television.
ENGAGED
JOURNALISM:
SOUND OF US
Ideastream’s Engaged Journalism team embodied the collaborative approach to news gathering through Sound of Us. Journalists actively involved communities in the news process, fostering transparency and trust. The series featured Wayne County farmers, formerly incarcerated poets and more.
In total, Sound of Us
received over
34,100 PAGEVIEWS.
PFAS (FOREVER
CHEMICALS)
REPORTING
This series addressed Forever Chemicals and their impact on our health. Reporters explained the origins of PFAs, as well as where they are found. They talked to experts and leaders in Ohio's government responsible for their regulation and clean up. The team produced videos where items were tested for PFAs.
“You helped make my corner of the world more aware of this problem. I'm shouting it from the rooftops!”
– Facebook User
2024 ELECTION:
LISTEN. ENGAGE.
VOTE.
Ideastream's 2024 election coverage, Listen. Engage. Vote., provided essential information and resources to help Ohioans make informed decisions on local and statewide elections. With support from the Statehouse News Bureau, we empowered our community to approach the polls with knowledge and confidence.
Listen. Engage. Vote. content reached OVER 223,682 PAGEVIEWS.
THE OHIO
NEWSROOM
Ideastream managed The Ohio Newsroom, a collaboration of Ohio’s network of public radio newsrooms, and provided statewide news coverage of stories that may not have otherwise been told. The daily segment, Today from The Ohio Newsroom, shared underreported accounts from Ohioans and more.
Ohio’s public media stations reach MORE THAN 95% OF
OHIO’S POPULATION.
CANTON MAYORAL
DEBATE
Canton mayoral candidates Roy Scott DePew and William Sherer II debated economic development, crime and more. The debate, hosted by Ideastream, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Canton Repository, was held ahead of the city's first election in decades without an incumbent.
“Democrat or Republican... It's going to take all of us to move this city forward.”
– Mayor William V. Sherer II
CONVERSATION
WITH SCOTT SIMON
Ideastream hosted an event with Scott Simon where he shared his experiences as the host of NPR's Weekend Edition and more. A conversation followed with Jenny Hamel, host of Ideastream’s Sound of Ideas. Guests also participated in a question-and-answer session and meet-and-greet.
The sold-out event with Scott Simon was attended by OVER 200 PEOPLE.
A SLICE OF
POLITICS
Warren, like many Northeast Ohio cities, is reinventing itself amid industrial decline and population loss. In A Slice of Politics, we took a closer look at the concerns of Warren voters. Four of the city’s residents sat down at the Sunrise Inn, a local pizzeria, and discussed what drove their election decisions.
A Slice of Politics stories in that initiative garnered OVER 10,000 PAGEVIEWS.
Ideastream Entertainment informs, inspires and connects audiences with quality programming for all ages, offering acclaimed dramas, mysteries, science and nature programs, plus enriching educational content. The award-winning local show Applause celebrates arts and more. As a free public service, Ideastream delivers wholesome content to the community.
APPLAUSE AND
APPLAUSE PERFORMANCES
Applause aired its 26th season, featuring arts and cultural offerings throughout Northeast Ohio. Episodes showcased The Cleveland Museum of Art, prison music classes, pinball arcades and more. Applause Performances offered audiences access to the region's musical talents through performances and interviews.
Combined, Applause and Applause Performances received OVER 84,700 STREAMS.
MIX AND MINGLE WITH LIDIA BASTIANICH
For over 25 years, Lidia Bastianich has inspired viewers nationwide. In August 2024, the Emmy-winning chef visited Northeast Ohio, sharing her passion for food and life. Ideastream proudly hosted two memorable events in Cleveland and Akron, where she connected with fans of her show and local food lovers.
The sold-out events in Cleveland and Akron were attended by OVER 200 PEOPLE.
89TH ANNUAL ANISFIELD-WOLF BOOK AWARDS
Ideastream’s Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards documentary celebrated the only national juried prize for literature addressing racism and diversity. The documentary showcased the winners' contributions to literature and society and was distributed to PBS stations nationwide by American Public Television.
This program aired in
49 STATES for a total U.S. population coverage of 90.60%.
ART SAVES:
LOCAL ARTISTS' JOURNEYS
This powerful series explored how art saves lives despite the challenges we might face. Local artists shared their personal journeys and struggles with mental illness, systemic social barriers and more. The individuals profiled within the series revealed how art has allowed them to heal, transform and find joy.
“When I'm painting, I'm my best self. I have everything I need."
– Artist Fatima Matar
Ideastream Music shines a spotlight on the “Music that Moves You” across Northeast Ohio. Through classical music on WCLV, the eclectic sounds of JazzNEO and cutting-edge local talent presented on Applause Performances and Shuffle, Ideastream Music connects audiences with the region’s musical culture, fostering appreciation and a deeper connection to the sounds that shape the community.
JAZZNEO
STATION
LAUNCH
AT BOP STOP
JazzNEO, launched in February 2024, is Northeast Ohio's premier jazz station. Local hosts showcased world-class musicians and emerging talents from area schools, which transformed our community with the vibrant sounds of jazz. They also featured renowned national and international artists who are drawn to the region.
In its first year, JazzNEO received OVER 37,420 LISTENS.
THIRD
THURSDAYS AT
TRANSFORMER
STATION
In collaboration with The Cleveland Museum of Art, Third Thursdays at Transformer Station featured live music and conversations with local artists, curated by Ideastream personalities. These intimate events celebrated Northeast Ohio's music scene and brought Ideastream Music programs to the public.
In total, 375 PEOPLE registered for the three concerts.
PORCHROKR
MUSIC AND
ART
FESTIVAL
Ideastream partnered with PorchROKR, a music and art festival in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood. We engaged the community by providing family activities and introducing bands to the main stage. The event brought people together while showcasing the city’s breadth of artistic and creative talent.
The event was attended by approximately 25,000 PEOPLE.
CLEVELAND
INTERNATIONAL
PIANO
COMPETITION
WCLV celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Cleveland International Piano Competition with live broadcasts. In honor of this anniversary, the competition took on a new look and a renewed purpose. For the first time, pianists shared personal narratives, which revealed the artistic expressions of the competitors for the jury.
50 CONTESTANTS were selected from
265 APPLICATIONS.
Ideastream Learning serves educators, caregivers, and young learners across Northeast Ohio ensuring that children have access to resources that enrich their development. As the region’s trusted source for PBS KIDS programming and the locally produced, award-winning NewsDepth show, Ideastream Learning is committed to fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
NEWSDEPTH:
SEASON 54
NewsDepth, Ideastream’s instructional multimedia series, premiered its 54th season. The program presented child-friendly news around current events in an easy-to-understand format and supported Ohio’s Learning Standards. The program was broadcast statewide on PBS member stations and made available to stream on-demand.
Season 54 of NewsDepth received OVER 94,000 STREAMS.
PBS KIDS
PROGRAMMING
Ideastream dedicated over 45 hours each week to PBS KIDS programming on WVIZ. The PBS KIDS 24/7 streaming channel and its website featured educational programs and engaging learning activities. We also hosted a free Be My Neighbor Day event, which included Daniel Tiger characters, crafts and more.
Ideastream Learning events were attended by OVER 700 FAMILIES.
PBS KIDS POP UP
STORY HOURS
Ideastream partnered with children’s librarians in branches of the Cleveland Public Libraries and Akron-Summit Public Libraries to enhance story hours for children and their families. Ideastream provided thematically aligned screenings of PBS KIDS episodes and hands-on experiences to enhance the story hours.
Story hours in Cleveland and Akron occurred on a MONTHLY BASIS.
YOU ARE
WELCOME
This documentary was produced by Ideastream in collaboration with Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest. The program, broadcast statewide, explored steps taken by the Akron City School District to establish a positive school climate for teachers and students rooted in research and common sense.
OVER 400 EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS attended screenings.
Financial Information
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
September 30, 2024
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
$86,253,526 |
|
Liabilities |
$7,362,108 |
|
Net Assets: |
|
|
• Without Donor Restriction |
$72,488,396 |
|
• With Donor Restriction |
$6,403,022 |
|
Total Liabilities and Net Assets |
$86,253,526 |
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF OPERATING ACTIVITIES
September 30, 2024
|
OPERATING REVENUE |
|
|
Contributed Revenue |
$23,965,001 |
|
Earned Revenue |
$3,880,618 |
|
Total Operating Revenue |
$27,845,619 |
|
OPERATING EXPENSES |
$27,815,995 |
|
NET OPERATING RESULT |
$29,624 |
REVENUE
|
38% |
Membership Support (Individuals) |
|
20% |
Other Support and Earned Revenue |
|
18% |
Foundation and Corporate Support |
|
12% |
Broadcast Educational Media Commission (State) |
|
10% |
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (Federal) |
|
2% |
Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (County) |
EXPENSES
|
71% |
Programming and Local Content |
|
29% |
Support |
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