The changing face of radio (was: Re: Boston's Newsradio Void)

[Steve & Barb Sawyer <steve5@tiac.net>]

ASchinella@aol.com wrote:

> . There are a limited amount of spectrum band. <snipped>  The only way I can see
> anything changing is to re-regulate the ownership of stations or section off an
> area of the spectrum for
> non-profit, non-education, non-religion, radio lovers to broadcast small
> community station.



> << I don't know what can come along to change the face of radio.  Maybe it's
>  community stations.  Maybe a shift in the economy -- no prosperity,
>  however strong, lasts forever.  But this, too, shall pass. >>

First of all, the one constant in all the world is change.  Radio is no different
and had to adapt to changing times.  There are things, which I feel have made
radio change for the worse.The first one is the FCCs relaxation of
duopoly/megopoly rules.  The second, which I've hinted at before, is the fact that
I feel there's too many stations on the air.  There's only so much ad revenue to
be split up.  The more stations, the smaller the amount available for each
station.

This is especially true out here in the smaller markets, where every dime counts.
Here in Orange Ma, this is how things have blossomed:  (Sales/Listening area
within 30 miles-- NOT COL)

1980                                            1998

WCAT    1390  A/C                     WYRY    104.9    Satellite Hot Country
WGAW    1340  A/C                    WXLO     104.5    Hot A/C
WPOE    1520 A/C (mid year)      WHAI-FM 98.3    Full Service A/C
WNBX-FM   103.7  BM                             (yes, one still does exist)
                                                    WCAT-FM 99.9   Satellite A/C
                                                    WINQ   97.7    Automated Hot
A/C
                                                    WPVQ  93.9    Satellite Hot
Country
                                                    WKNE-FM    103.7 Hot A/C (Fmr
CHR)
                                                    WCAT-AM 700 Satellite Talk

These listed stations represent the advertising competition in Northern
Worcester/Franklin Counties of Mass, and Southern Cheshire county (Center on
Orange, MA).

The point I'm trying to illustrate here is that there are double the number of
stations which compete against one another now than 18 years ago in the same
market.  I would contend that there is LESS money available now than in 1980 for
advertising.

While megopolies out here in the small markets are not really a factor, limited
income potential and vastly increased competition have created a financial
situation where stations automate wherever possible, go satellite and those on air
staff lucky enough to be still on the air somewhere are being paid an average of
$6-7 per hour.  No wonder radio is a pale shadow of its former self.

Steve Sawyer

>

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