Frequently Asked Questions

No matter your question or concern, WHYY is here to help. The most common questions we hear are related to donations, Membership, podcasting and apps. If you are experiencing an issue with our services, the answer might be right below, in our Frequently Asked Questions. If you don’t see your question answered below, contact Member and Audience Services at memberservices@whyy.org or call 215-351-0511.

Questions about Connecting

My contact information has changed. Where can I update my information?
You may update your billing address or other contact information by visiting our Member Hub or by calling Member and Audience Services at 215-351-0511 during our normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

How do I get information about WHYY events?
WHYY offers a variety of community experiences at WHYY Studios on Independence Mall in Philadelphia and many other locations throughout Greater Philadelphia. Events are posted to WHYY.org/events; included in our weekly e-newsletter; emailed to our subscriber list; and posted to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Where can I find your programming schedule for WHYY-FM?
View the schedule on the WHYY-FM page.

Where can I find your programming schedule for WHYY-TV?
View the schedule on the WHYY-TV page. Our TV page provides access to our programming grid, which enables you to view two weeks of schedules and the schedules’ previous week in case you missed the titles of programs you enjoyed. You can also search for programs using keywords in the title or print a monthly programming schedule in pdf form.

How can I follow WHYY or a WHYY program on social media?
You can follow WHYY on Facebook by clicking here or on Twitter by clicking here. More information about WHYY’s presence on social media websites is available on our Connect with WHYY page.

How can I sign up for WHYY newsletters?
You can sign up to receive WHYY: the best from TV, FM and online and other newsletters here.

Membership Questions

How long does it take to receive my WHYY MemberCard?
On average, you will receive your Member packet thank-you gift four to six weeks after your contribution is processed. If we have your email address, you will receive an email notification with tracking information once your item ships.

Gifts sometimes take longer to ship due to production delays. We apologize for such inconveniences and appreciate your patience. If you have concerns regarding the status of your gift, contact Member Services at memberservices@whyy.org or 215-351-0511 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

What is a Sustaining Membership?
New Members or rejoining Members can easily register for this benefit at the Support WHYY page. Just click the box that says, “I’d like my WHYY Membership to automatically renew.”

Current Members may also call Member Services at 215-351-0511 to upgrade their Memberships to Sustaining Memberships.

I moved. How do I change my mailing address with WHYY?
It is important that WHYY has your updated address information. You can update your address at our Change Your Address page.

How do I know when my Membership expires?
Your MemberCard provides your Member expiration date. The month of your Member expiration date will follow you throughout your Membership experience at WHYY, even if you renew early within your Membership renewal period.

I sent in my renewal gift. Why am I still receiving renewal solicitations?
The crossover time between the submission and/or processing of your donation payment and our mailings is four to six weeks. As a nonprofit organization, WHYY manages and processes information in the most cost-efficient manner possible. Member information for mailings is retrieved four weeks before Members receive mailings. Providing this information to our direct-mail vendor weeks in advance costs WHYY less money for each mailing. The savings greatly outweigh the cost of duplicate mailings some Members may receive.

If you have received your Member packet and MemberCard, be assured that we received your contribution and that any additional solicitations simply crossed in the mail.

My Membership does not expire for three months. Why are you sending me renewal notices?
More than 50 percent of WHYY’s funding comes from Members such as you. Because you’re so important in helping support our programs and services, we send out renewal notices three months in advance of your Membership’s expiration. Renewing early does not shorten your Membership period; your Membership will be extended for 12 months from your expiration date.

Sustaining Members do not receive renewal notices because their Memberships renew automatically.

What are my WHYY Member benefits?
WHYY offers special Member invitations and admission discounts to events. The WHYY MemberCard offers discounts to museums and educational organizations, performing arts centers and music and theater venues; restaurants, retail stores and service providers. Visit our Member Benefits page for additional information and the WHYY.org homepage to view and register for upcoming WHYY events.

I think I have more than one record with you because I receive multiple solicitations.
Every time you donate to WHYY, our database is set up to review specific criteria and merge accounts with identical information. Sometimes, though, the database does not merge linked accounts. These inconsistencies lead to mixed messages regarding your Member status. One mailing may say, “It’s time to renew,” and another mailing may say, “Thanks for being a Member!” If you suspect you have more than one record with WHYY, contact Member Services so we can check whether a discrepancy exists and, if so, merge the records.

Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Contributions to WHYY are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. We will send an acknowledgment letter for each contribution you make that will specify the fair market value of any thank-you gifts you have received.

How do I order additional thank-you gifts?
Visit the Support WHYY page to order thank-you gifts.

Where can I see a list of the available thank-you gifts?
For a list of our available gifts for television and radio, visit the Support WHYY page.

Sustainer Membership Questions

What is a Sustainer?
A Sustainer, or a Sustaining Member, is someone who gives ongoing monthly donations to WHYY. Sustainers choose the amount per month that they would like to give, and that donation is automatically charged to your account each month until you decide to change it or cancel it. You can increase, decrease or stop your sustaining gift at any time by contacting Member and Audience Services.

Why should I become a Sustainer?
Becoming a Sustainer is a great way to support WHYY because we know we can count on your support year after year. This allows us to make long-term financial decisions more effectively. Additionally, sustainer giving reduces WHYY’s administrative costs so more of your donation can go to the programs you enjoy. For example, we won’t need to send you renewal reminders, increasing the impact of your gift on programming.

A Sustaining Membership is also a budget-friendly way of giving – instead of a lump sum, you can spread your gift payments throughout the year.

When will I be billed for my Sustaining Membership?
Credit card: Your credit card will be charged for your first payment 1-2 business days after you make your donation. Each month thereafter, we will charge your credit card or debit card around the same date each month.

e-Check: We process e-Check payments four times a month, on the 5th, 12th, 20th and 28th. After you make your gift, we will process your e-check payment on the next closest date to the weekly processing and then on the exact same date moving ahead.

What are some of the benefits of my Sustaining Membership?
Knowing that you are playing a critical role in keeping WHYY strong is a great benefit of being a sustainer—but we also want to thank you for your contribution by recognizing you with special benefits, including:

WHYY Passport, a Member-only video-on-demand service that grants you access to hundreds of hours of TV programming. The WHYY Passport library will continue to grow as more series and episodes are added.

WHYY MemberCard, which provides discounts and special offers at over 175 local businesses and nonprofit organizations

Y-Stream, an online-only way to stream WHYY-FM pledge-free during fundraising campaigns (for sustainers who give $10 per month or more)

How do I cancel or change my sustaining Membership?
If you need to change or cancel your Sustaining Membership, you may call Member Services at 215-351-0511 during our normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

My credit card has expired or the number has recently changed. Where can I update my payment information?
To update your credit card or bank account information, please call Member Services at 215-351-0511. If you are calling after hours, press 1 to be transferred to our 24-hour payment update hotline.

Why am I getting renewal notices? I thought I was a sustaining Member.
You may have a duplicate Membership account under different contact information. Please contact Member Services at 215-351-0511 or at memberservices@whyy.org for further information about your Membership.

Will my donation count for challenges during on-air Member campaigns?
No. These only apply to new donations rather than monthly ones. However, if you make an additional gift during a challenge period, then per the terms of each individual challenge, that gift may be matched.

Is my gift to WHYY tax-deductible?
Contributions to WHYY are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. We will send an acknowledgment letter for each contribution you make that will specify the fair market value of any thank-you gifts you have received.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Our Member and Audience Services team will be happy to help you with any questions you may have! You can call us during our regular business hours at 215.351.0511 or you can email us at memberservices@whyy.org. Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Podcasting Help

What is a podcast?
Podcasting is a way to automatically download audio and video programs to your portable media player through your computer. You use podcasting software to check for and download new editions of your favorite podcast programs.

What do I need to listen to podcasts?
You’ll need a computer, an internet connection and podcasting software (such as iTunes, Odeo or iPodder). That’s it! You can listen or view the podcasts right from your computer — or you can sync the files to your portable media player to listen on the move.

How do I subscribe to or download a podcast?
View the complete list of podcast links at our Social and Mobile Media page under “Podcasting and RSS.” Right-click a program link from this list (or Control-click in MacOS) and select “Copy” or “Copy Shortcut.” You may then paste the link into your podcasting software. In iTunes you can find this option under the “Advanced” menu as “Subscribe to podcast.”

PBS iPhone and iPad Apps

What is the WHYY Listen App?

What are the PBS iPhone and iPad apps?
Enjoy WHYY content anytime and anywhere. With the PBS iPhone and iPad apps you can watch the most popular and current WHYY programs free and with minimal interruption. The apps feature more than 1,000 videos, including full-length episodes, segments and previews with new content updated daily. Thanks to a partnership between PBS and WHYY, you can watch locally produced video, check the WHYY schedule and more in the PBS apps. Currently the WHYY productions Friday Arts, On Canvas, On Stage at Curtis, First and Flicks are available.

How do I download the apps?
Download these apps for free using these links:

Download for iPad — Download for iPhone

How do I use the app?
Once installed, open the app and click “TV Schedules” on the iPhone or “Select Station” on the iPad
Enter the zip code where you watch WHYY on TV.
Select your cable provider.
Select WHYY as your station.
Click on the “Programs” icon.
Pick your show and enjoy watching WHYY on your mobile device.

Sharing WHYY Content

How do I embed WHYY video and audio pieces on my website?
A step-by-step guide to embedding video and audio content is available on our Share WHYY Content page.

Still have questions? Contact Member Services at memberservices@whyy.org or call 215-351-0511.