"It's the programming, stupid!"

[Kevin Vahey]

I listened to you today (online in Newark) - and even called :)





On Sat, May 19, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Donna Halper <dlh@donnahalper.com> wrote:

> On 5/19/2012 4:15 PM, Jibguy@aol.com wrote:
>
>> In a message dated 5/19/2012 12:29:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>> dlh@donnahalper.com writes:
>>
>>    I am also surprised that AM broadcasters have not done a better job
>>    lobbying for their own interests.  Years ago, the NAB used to
>>    stand up
>>    for small and local radio owners
>>
>> ---------------
>> It did?   I must have missed that.  The NAB wanted to make everyone THINK
>> that they were as concerned with local owners.
>>
>
> The early NAB absolutely supported and encouraged local and small
> broadcasters.  But things began to shift during the top-40 era, when the
> FCC permitted group owners to have more stations, and broadcast groups
> became much more important to the NAB than individual owners.  I still
> dream of getting back on the air and/or owning a station, and if AM is what
> is available, then okay fine.  Frankly, with so much boring radio out
> there, any unique format that appeals to a niche audience will get some
> fans.  The problem is making money with it.  For example, consider WFNX,
> which had a passionate niche audience. But it could not get enough
> advertising support.  There are many reasons for such problems, but as I
> see it, deregulation has not just hurt independent owners-- it's also hurt
> other businesses -- record companies, mama-papa record stores and local
> bookstores... all of which used to buy time on rock stations.  There's been
> a domino effect, as fewer local businesses means fewer people to support
> even a station they really like.  The NPR model (or the WJIB model) can
> work for some, but there is just no lobbying group that stands up for the
> listeners these days. However, Bob and I totally agree that AM radio is not
> dead.  In fact, radio itself is not dead, even if certain bad policies and
> indifferent corporations are not dedicated to keeping it alive.
>
>
>