joebtsflk1
Star Participant
Hypothetical question: is there a future for a new, locally focused FM in a small, unradioed market? Unradioed in this case means no stations licensed to any town within the proposed listening area, although there are a number of FM stations in adjacent counties that get into parts of the proposed listening area. None of them put city grade signals over a significant part of the area, but three commercial small market FMs put solid service grade over at least the south half of the area.
There is listener competition from an adjacent larger market with seven commercial FMs that covers the north half of the area, but they focus on their home cities.
Population to be served: about 15,000, scattered among a number of towns, none over 3,000. Strong ag area. Plenty of weather action both summer and winter. Several High schools with solid sports programs. Retail sales in the area...between $75 million to $100 million.
Ten years ago this was a more clear cut answer, but with competing new media platforms does a traditional small to micro market FM have a chance, even if it embraces the new platforms, video, podcasts, etc. as much as it can?
And would you even use music content as a filler between local programs and play by play, or would you go all talk?
There is listener competition from an adjacent larger market with seven commercial FMs that covers the north half of the area, but they focus on their home cities.
Population to be served: about 15,000, scattered among a number of towns, none over 3,000. Strong ag area. Plenty of weather action both summer and winter. Several High schools with solid sports programs. Retail sales in the area...between $75 million to $100 million.
Ten years ago this was a more clear cut answer, but with competing new media platforms does a traditional small to micro market FM have a chance, even if it embraces the new platforms, video, podcasts, etc. as much as it can?
And would you even use music content as a filler between local programs and play by play, or would you go all talk?