I see your point, but your remarks go too far and are very unfair.
Nobody disputes that a radio station needs to make money to stay in business, or even that it is not a business.
But at the same time, you can't just throw any old slop together and expect to make money with it. If that is what you are trying to do, we have word for that, it is called "scam."
Imagine if Toyota put absolutely the worst, cheapest parts on their car, stopped selling them with radios, AC's, heaters, and sold them all withoiut paint or in black? Sure, they'd be cheap as all get out. But would anyone buy them?
Of course not. If cars, or any product were starting to be built that way, you'd have a lot of unhappy people, including car enthusiasts.
Why should radio be any different? Please don't confuse enthusiasm for romanticism! As it is, Ford, GM and Chrysler began doing stuff like that (whens the last time you bought a car with an interior that was a color other htan black or beige?)
Radio is losing money, just because of this kind of thinking. It is being run by people who want to take short cuts for making money, people who, if they could get away with all advertisments as a format would do it ina heart beat.
Please, if you operate a radio station, make money. But do us all a favor, make it because you have a good product, not because you are cutting corners. Based on the comments I have read here, cutting corners is what A-1 is doing.
Racer X said:
I can always count on the Texas radio board for words of wisdom on how best to operate radio stations. Heritage is great. Heritage is important. It’s much more important to those who are consumed by radio and all that it entails. Knowing the history of a radio station, especially one that dates back 70+ years, is exciting to radio junkies. But, the history of the station alone does not sell spots. And, unfortunately, you can’t eat heritage. If you could, then my local printer (in business since the 30’s) would give me letterhead and stationery for free since he loves the smell of ink. And, my local tire dealer (in business since the 40’s) would give me tires for free since he loves to watch cars rolling on new tires.
One thing about this board has always amazed me - the regulars are so knowledgeable about all the functional aspects of a radio station, and yet they never seemingly put that firepower to work in terms of ownership. With all this acumen, how could you fail? Now, Musicsweep, has opened the door on just such an opportunity. I would think Access 1 would be willing to take about $10-12,000 a month to LMA KFRO-AM (shoot high, since you need to creative incentive for them). I have count at least 10-12 regular posters on this board. Being the successful business persons that your advice suggests, I’m sure you more than $1,000 a month in discretionary income. My suggestion to you is to form an LLC and LMA KFRO. With all this experience and ability, the LLC shouldn’t need much working capital since the business will be profitable in no time. The main problem could be that of deciding on how to structure management.
Why not finally take action instead of sitting on the sidelines? Show what you can do instead of telling everyone how you did it, or how poorly someone else is doing it.
