There are important reasons for this distinction. The infrastructure expenses are much higher than programming. It would be extremely difficult to raise the amounts required for production and distribution equipment from the public. We are experiencing this problem in discussions regarding the cost and source of fund for the digital conversion, which is necessary by 2003. Individual donors and corporate donors prefer to give their money for programming in general and specific productions in particular.
Corporations enjoy their association with a production or project through their underwriting credit.
Therefore, our infrastructure acquisition is dependent upon our continued relationship with state government, providing a service which is valued by the residents of Wisconsin and supported through their tax dollars. Our programming fund acquisition is a combination of viewer, corporate, and grant support. Our effectiveness in each of these financial activities, is determined by our ability to balance tax support needed for infrastructure and our ability to raise funds needed for programming and production. Our ability to receive infrastructure funding from the state and university is related to our ability to deliver educational information to the residents of our state. The service we deliver to the classrooms of Wisconsin is valued as one of the major reasons for tax support.