Tuesday, February 12, 2013

URGENT: Save EastEnders on WLIW21

 
Dear Easties,

WLIW has contacted me to let us know that the on-air fundraising for EastEnders this year did not raise enough money for WLIW21 to buy another year of the series. We are $15,000 short of what is needed and the new contract must be signed at the end of March. Given this shortfall coupled with already tight budgets, the program director cannot justify re-signing unless we help.


If we EastEnders fans cannot raise that money by March 15, EastEnders will no longer air on WLIW21. They have made it very clear that this is not any kind of a threat or bluff: It's just an economic reality for the station.

It is actually a testament to the relationship the EastEnders fan community has developed with WLIW21 over the last seven years that they did not just cancel the show. Instead, they contacted me to let us know that the show is in trouble and are giving us the opportunity to help them keep EastEnders on the air. Please know our loyal viewership and involvement with WLIW21 has been a continual source of pride for the station. They love it that they broadcast a show like EastEnders that viewers are so passionate about that we independently mobilize to partner with them, to fund it and keep it on the air. This is the very definition of Public Broadcasting!

But another reality is this: EastEnders is one of the most expensive shows that WLIW21 purchases, and the programming department simply does not have the funds for it… unless fans support it. And we have to support it every year.

So what can you give to secure another year of EastEnders? We are suggesting pledge levels of $60 and $100 because we need to raise the money quickly. Any pledge amount would help and be gratefully accepted!


We have done this before Easties, and we can do it again! We have partnered with WLIW to help them get the funds they need for EastEnders to continue: Now all we need is you to join us! Please respond to this call to action as soon as you can and to get updates, please check back here and/or sign up for the free EastEnders e-newsletter, The E20 Chronicles.

There are two ways to donate…

Option #1: You can pledge on WLIW's website via this link:

CLICK HERE FOR WLIW's EASTENDERS PLEDGE PAGE.
 

On WLIW's website link above there are 3 different pledge gift packages offered, PLEASE NOTE: If you pledge online you must get a pledge gift for your pledge to count for EastEnders. If you check the 'no gift' option, your pledge is not designated for EastEnders and doesn't count towards our $15K goal.

Option #2: OR- Send a check made out to 'WLIW/Channel 21', but mail it to me at:

Save EastEnders
c/o D. Gilbert
P.O. Box 1106
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113

Just as with the drives I've organized in the past, we will collect the checks and if we do NOT hit the goal, your checks will be returned to you -- if you enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
*Please note that donations made on the website will be added to the general WLIW21 Programming Fund if we do not hit the goal.



If you want to another year of EastEnders on WLIW, the time for you to act is NOW! If you have any questions, please email me any time: E20Launderette at gmail . com

Cheers,

Debbie Gilbert

***BTW, raising $15,000 should be totally doable for EastEnders: that’s just 250 people pledging $60, or 150 people pledging $100. Together, we can do this!!


AND THERE'S MORE:

Anyone who sends in a check for this drive will be entered to winsome great EastEnders memorabilia!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I just saw this - did WLIW 21 cancel Eastenders?

E20 Launderette said...

@Karen: Absolutely not. We raised enough and WLIW very happily renewed it. It has been on the air every week.

Apparently some people who have FIOS are missing it, only because the digital schedule is wrong and when they don't see it o the schedule they don't tune in - even though the show is on. But that is a problem with FIOS - NOT WLIW.

If you ever have a question, just go to WLIW's website and search their schedule. You will see that EastEnders is on every Wednesday night at 10PM (except on those few occasions during pledge months when they pre-empt for special programming).