For the first time since 1940, The Metropolitan Opera is faced with having to fund its radio broadcasts, a 72-year-old tradition of live Saturday afternoon radio broadcasts which reach approximately 11 million listeners in over 40 countries on five continents. Thousands of listeners have contacted us - by letter, email and telephone - asking us to save the broadcasts. We agree. We must save the broadcasts and secure their future for you and for future generations of listeners. To this end, The Met has launched a campaign to ask opera lovers like you to help preserve the tradition. Many have already sent in unsolicited gifts. Our goal is to raise $150 million over the next five years to fund our beloved Saturday matinee broadcasts.