We're doing this because the church has other demands on its resources. We were given a long time to see if we could make it self-sustaining. There was no way I could say as part of Monitor Radio's management that we could get to break even. Monitor established its place in the radio marketplace by offering stations a lower-cost alternative to NPR news, so station revenues were minimal. Plus, it has had difficulty building up its underwriting base, Cook says.
Foundations find it difficult to sign a check to a church.
They've invested millions and millions in public radio and have been proud of the work they've done. Monitor will continue to produce religious radio programs, currently airing on commercial stations and the church's shortwave stations. The church is also selling or leasing two shortwave radio stations, one in South Carolina, the other in Saipan.