It is now apparent that the switch to Polka tunes is a misguided effort to get more money from their listeners who enjoy the Oldies tunes. It is wrong to hold them hostage by playing Polka tunes that few enjoy. It is sad that the volunteer efforts of many are jeopardized by a decision by those entrusted to manage the non-profit group running the station. The following excerpt from a post on the station's Facebook page is attributed to the Board of Directors for this "community" Low Power FM radio station. To quote the Facebook posting:
"Recent increase in format related fees to the organization have affected the operational budget. Just shy of fiscal goals to meet the increase, administrators had to “follow the budget” and decide if the station should go silent or move to a less expensive format. Due to over-saturation of the Dayton market with soft rock, country, classic rock and urban formats, the Board of Directors of Southwest Ohio Public Radio sought out a more affordable format that would still be of a unique genre to offer the region. As of 12:01am, “Polka 97 (dot)3” is on the dial. A WSWO Board spokesperson stated that the staff struggled with the decision and will miss the oldies format but they would need to raise the necessary funds to take back the format. A “grace” window is open for a short time and they are hoping the community will support the efforts to inject the budget with the needed funds to get the oldies back on the air. Until this grace period ends, the station will continue streaming at DaytonOldies.org and will be keeping the website and Facebook brands."
Perhaps someone on this Radio Discussions Forum who is actually in the radio business can clarify the music fees paid by radio stations to broadcast and stream music. I was under the impression that LPFM's pay the lowest fees of any class of radio station for the rights to play music; and that the fees any radio stations pay are the same no matter what they play. Polkas, Oldies or whatever. If that is the case, the Board of Southwest Ohio Public Radio is not being truthful in their excuses to extract more money from listeners.
