Re:An audio engineer explains NPR’s signature sound
by massysett on Sunday June 26, 2016 @03:49PM
(#11982352)
Their non-profit status doesn't have much to do with their staff compensation. Broadcasting at this level takes a lot of talent. I realize this every time someone sits in for a good broadcaster. Sometimes the substitutes are nearly unbearable. Good broadcasters don't work for cheap.
They wouldn't be successful at soliciting donations if they had bad broadcasters. Most podcasts have a tiny budget, which is part of the reason most podcasts are terrible.
Re:An audio engineer explains NPR’s signature sound
by malchow on Sunday June 26, 2016 @05:41PM
(#11982884)
I largely agree with your comment that talent doesn't come cheap. Software developers, venture investors, bank CEOs, &c.
In the case of NPR staff, I question whether anyone else is bidding on their services.
Re:An audio engineer explains NPR’s signature sound
by massysett on Sunday June 26, 2016 @09:26PM
(#11983712)
Michele Norris previously worked for ABC, the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, and the LA Times.
Re:An audio engineer explains NPR’s signature sound
by Domenic_S on Monday June 27, 2016 @12:16PM
(#11987150)
I worked in radio in a fairly large market. On-air talent made good (not great, compared to tech salaries) money. The best talent did lots of events & wrote books to push income, always moving to a bigger market if possible. Upper management (as in, national corporate management) made bank. Everyone else made garbage.
They have a number of highly paid mid-level people, such a diversity officer (Keith Woods) who makes $220K.
More notable hosts make over the stated $300K, including Steve Inskeep ($400k) and Michele Norris ($350K –– wage gap!).
Highest honors, at least according to the 2013 990 linked here[1], go to Renée Montagne, who pulled in $412,581.)
These are not fully loaded costs. You probably want to add 10% for D.C.-based employees for employee overhead incl. labor lawyers, retirement contributions, payroll tax, &c.
Not bad to be a corporation that doesn't pay taxes, takes federal taxpayer money, takes state taxpayer money, takes corporate gifts, solicits foundation grants, and asks for individual donations.
[1] http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/520/5209076...