TELEVISION - March 30, 1996

Local PBS Fortunes Dimmer: Local public television station KCET-TV Channel 28, which continues its 23-day pledge drive through Monday, reported Friday that rather than being ahead on this year’s pledges, as is the case with PBS stations nationally, it is actually running considerably behind. “We have a shortfall of $405,063, so we need to do a lot in four days,” said a KCET spokeswoman. “It’s critical.” Through Thursday, KCET’s 1996 pledge drive had raised only about $1.3 million, well short of last year’s $1.7 million. As reported Friday, PBS stations nationwide have already received pledges totaling $49 million--an 11% increase over 1995’s then-record-setting $44.2 million.