LISTENING TO KRCU's MEMBERS

When KRCU began its first-ever membership drive last spring, the response often came with programming suggestions.

The three programs added to the station's lineup this week -- "A Prairie Home Companion," "Whad'Ya Know?" and "Marketplace" -- were among those most often mentioned.

"It's our way of saying, `You asked, we responded,'" said Greg Petrowich, the station's acting general manager.

The acquisitions also open up the station's options for underwriting, and by the time the next membership drive comes around in April might induce more listeners to join, Petrowich said.

An estimated one-tenth of the people who listen to public radio support the station through paying for a membership.

The station's two membership drives last year increased its membership from 125 to 450 families or individuals and raised $35,000 the station decided to invest in new programming.

"We hope that is a benchmark. And hopefully we will be able to increase it," Petrowich says.

"Statistically, we should probably be able to get up to about 500 (memberships)," he added. "And once people listen to these programs it should go up again."

The three shows were bought at a discount but will cost the station $22,000 yearly to continue airing in the future. Part of the cost is for affiliation with Public Radio International, a syndicate that distributes the programs.

KRCU, located at 90.9 FM on the dial, now is affiliated both with PRI and with the better-known National Public Radio.

The new shows necessitate a minor rearranging of the station's schedule. Another scheduling change not related to the new shows is the addition of a taped airing of "Car Talk," the hilarious Saturday morning call-in show hosted by Ray and Tom Magliozzi, aka Click and Clack.

The program, broadcast live at 9 a.m. Saturdays, is now rebroadcast at 5 p.m. Sunday evenings.

In the future, Petrowich said KRCU plans more radio theater along the lines of its holiday offering of "A Christmas Carol." A local public affairs program also is in the offing.