What about the small broadcasters ? (was Re: HD Gets A Boost)

[A. Joseph Ross]

On 2 Feb 2006 at 11:01, Peter Q. George wrote:

> The BIG question that nobody seems to want to answer is..... what
> about the lower powered FM stations that want to embrace this new
> technology?  Spending a minimum of $75,000 to upgrade these
> stations to digital  and having to fork up another $25,000 to have
> it all licensed with Ibiquity comes to a grand total of $100,000. 
> Where in God's green earth is any smaller station (a college or
> LPFM) going to be able to come up with that dastardly amount to
> keep up with the technology.  It's all find if your name is Clear
> Channel or Greater Media.  But what about the small broadcasters. 
> How do they fit in the equation? 

There are many ways to come up with the money.  College stations can 
do fund-raisers, tap their alumni, and maybe even get a grant or loan 
from student government.  I seem to remember that when I was a 
freshman at UMass, WMUA had just gotten a new board and transmitter 
through some sort of student government loan which had to be paid off 
over several years.  Since WMUA got all its funding at the time from 
student government, that was just taking from one pocket and putting 
it in the other, but such funding mechanisms are possible.

And it's also possible that nonprofit stations, especially college 
stations, may eventually be able to get a discount on the equipment 
and the licensing fees.

Then again, maybe some rich entrepreneurs will come along and want 
their call letters ...  ;->

-- 
A. Joseph Ross, J.D.                           617.367.0468
 15 Court Square, Suite 210                 Fax 617.742.7581
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