Charlotte's public TV station in dire straits

Charlotte's public TV station revealed it has run a deficit of about $300,000, and the treasurer warned that if the coming year is as bad, WTVI could shut down.

"Within a year or two, if nothing changes, the lights go out," C. Lal Vishin, Channel 42's treasurer, told the station's board. Vishin said the station dipped into its reserve fund of about $500,000 to cover the losses. "If we go with a deficit like this, we have one more year to live." Vishin's assessment is the most dire forecast made publicly to date about WTVI's financial condition, which has turned perilous since the recession began to grip Charlotte in 2008. Station President Elsie Garner said the station, which signed on in 1965, had a "disastrous fourth quarter" in fundraising. WTVI's shortfall represented about 10 percent of its overall budget. Among the station's problems: A June membership drive failed to erase the deficit, an ill-timed direct-mail campaign in December fell far short of expectations and membership numbers have dropped. "We are in a really tough situation in this community to raise money," said Garner. "Every nonprofit I know is struggling."