KBIA Local
(2009-05-22)
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COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
After almost three decades as a Columbia staple, Pepper & Friends will soon become a piece of KOMU 8 history. General manager Marty Siddall says the high cost of production has been a long-standing issue for the variety show. But he says the station worked hard to financially support the show for years.
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"Pepper and Friends has been a show since I came here ten years ago, you know, that was not making money, and we couldn't get a profit, but understood the value of the show to the community."
Siddall says KOMU's role as a teaching newsroom is the station's first priority. And he says that the recent increase in students at the University of Missouri required some difficult decisions.
"Unfortunately in this economy, we cannot fulfill our education mission and have unprofitable programming on our air."
Pepper & Friends debuted in 1982, but the host Paul Pepper has been with KOMU 8 for nearly 40 years.
"Pepper and Friend is our baby, we've been doing it for 27 years, it's a forum that's open to the community, and my God, over those 27 years, thousands and thousands of people have come on the show and had an opportunity to talk about their particular events and their performances."
Siddall says KOMU-8 will celebrate Pepper and his co-host James Mouser's contribution to the community in the coming months.
Danielle Destrade, KBIA News.
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