2026 SUMMER FUND DRIVE
The 2026 SUMMER FUND DRIVE is Saturday, May 30 through Friday, June 6. Gifts donated during the fund drive ensure critical resources to maintain the operations and programming you rely on from Public Radio East.
42 Years of Public Radio East
We have a lot to celebrate this fund drive. June 4, 2026, marks 42 years of Public Radio East in Eastern North Carolina. It started with the 1812 Overture and provided classical music on a single station. Today, we offer a network of news, ideas, and music programming over five stations and online.
Award Winning Reporting
Every day you know we focus on the complete story; we are always committed to keeping Eastern North Carolina fully and accurately informed. Our efforts were recognized with the 2026 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best New Series for a small market radio.
Wonderous Music
Our music programming offers a soundtrack to your day, providing a never-ending, wonderous gift, offering the power to focus your attention and enrich almost any moment. We are proud to bring you a variety of locally produced programs:
- The Choral Tradition with Finley Woolston
- 20th Century Limited with Paul Jordan
- The Sound with Neal Ganaway
Stronger Signal
Unfortunately, many in our community heard what it was like for PRE's signal to not reach their local radio. We worked to provide a backup antenna to restore most of our service area, as we addressed setbacks to replace the WTEB antenna. After waiting patiently for over a year, we cheered in January as the new antenna was installed and the WTEB signal returned to 100%.
Federal Funding Loss
We adapted to the elimination of $144,000 in federal funding from our annual operating budget. Due to the outpouring of support from the community, we avoided a financial crisis. We are pleased to maintain our current programming schedule and increase locally produced music programming. This loss will continue to impact our annual operating budget every year moving forward.
From inspirational music to ideas and insights into local, national and international news, Public Radio East is an essential part of your life.
That is why your support matters so much. It ensures that the news, programs and music you count on will continue to be here for you, and for everyone in Eastern North Carolina.
Your support during the 2026 SUMMER FUND DRIVE is important to keep Public Radio East strong now and in the future.
