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Could stations start signing off at Midnight to save $$$$ ?

K

Kenny Atkinson

Is it possible we could start seeing stations signing off at midnight to save money on electricity?
One station that comes to mind is WHJJ.With the current state of Clear Channel and cost cutting could we see some stations start signing off?

These would be the most vulurable

WHJJ,WPRV,WALE,WJZS already does.

Thoughts....
 
kenwood101 said:
Is it possible we could start seeing stations signing off at midnight to save money on electricity?
One station that comes to mind is WHJJ.
Thoughts....
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Don't say that to my new neighbor. Whoever it is must have just moved in. During the past week I've had my bedroom window open and I noticed the drifting sound of a radio station coming through my window overnights. So one night I turned on my radio to figure out what station the new neighbor had on. I was shocked as hell when I discovered that it was WHJJ. This was at 3 in the morning.
 
Given that many of the AM and FM Stations in this market and in surrounding markets have no one around at midnight, you'd have to invest in equipment that would turn the transmitter off..and then on again..and then hope it works..not sure how much money you'd actually save, or how big a headache this would happen..
 
Speaker of Truth said:
Given that many of the AM and FM Stations in this market and in surrounding markets have no one around at midnight, you'd have to invest in equipment that would turn the transmitter off..and then on again..and then hope it works..not sure how much money you'd actually save, or how big a headache this would happen..
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I believe Hall in New London and Providence have a live body in the building 24/7.Not necersarrally live on the air but in the building.I could be wrong but I think someone told me that.

Clear Channel I know doesnt

Citadel Providence I would think there would be a person there because they are the flag ship EAS on WWLI and WPRV.
 
There might be some saving but, depending on the power output of the station, it might be surprisingly little.

In some instances, particularly when a station is the sole occupant of a building, the saving on insurance costs occasioned by having a warm body in the building outweighs the cost of paying minimum wage. Said person need have no skills other than remaining semi-conscious.
 
kenwood101 said:
Speaker of Truth said:
Given that many of the AM and FM Stations in this market and in surrounding markets have no one around at midnight, you'd have to invest in equipment that would turn the transmitter off..and then on again..and then hope it works..not sure how much money you'd actually save, or how big a headache this would happen..
Click to expand...


I believe Hall in New London and Providence have a live body in the building 24/7.Not necersarrally live on the air but in the building.I could be wrong but I think someone told me that.

Clear Channel I know doesnt

Citadel Providence I would think there would be a person there because they are the flag ship EAS on WWLI and WPRV.
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Citadel Providence used to have someone in the building until 1 AM, they may be automated after Matt's show now though.
 
tony r said:
I doubt Pro would turn off . Coast to Coast and prior to that Mike Savage, I suspect do well.
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No way PRO would turn off. They would be the very last station to ever do that. Coast to Coast is way to popular. I bet they get a decent amount of listeners tuined in overnights.
 
I doubt that PRO-AM would ever go off the air. They are still considered the station to go to when there's an emergency, and if something ever did happen and WPRO wasn't there, I think it would hurt their reputation in the long run.

As for other stations, its all a matter of how much they are billing overnight. Lots of local ads get run overnight as parts of ad packages sold to local businesses at a significant discount compared to daytime slots. Other times, satellite broadcasting might be getting aired for free, or sometimes paying the station, since they sell national ads on the shows.

I think if their was a significant amount of savings to be had, you would have already seen a number of stations start shutting down overnight. We're knee deep in the recession, and this has only happened at one or two stations... I don't think its a trend.
 
Of course stations could "start signing off at midnight" to save $$$$. They could sign off it 7 if they wanted to. Or 9. Or 10:47. As long as they are on at least half the time of their license.

And popularity has nothing at all to do with "saving money." Only 20% of the daytime listening audience is available to listen to all night radio ... 1/5th the population. Are many stations going to "save $$$" for that? Not a lot, so, they keep it on "just in case" of an emergency situation ... not because of the perceived popularity of George Noory. Only 20 percent of the audience is available.

Now, with today's "energy efficient" small wattage (1000 watt or so) transmitters, the portion saved on the power bill for four or five hours of downtime is neglible ... like, $50-$100 a month or so. If that. (I know, I've paid such a bill for years.) Keeping a few lights on, a board, a sat receiver, a couple of computers ... neglible.

Most stations don't make money all night ... or at night at all. What you hear are "trade outs," "bonus spots" or other things to "fill the gaps." Few stations, outside of infomercials, get local direct money for being on "all night." Also, keep in mind, that AM radio, alone, only serves on a good day 20% of the available audience, with 80% going to FM. Now, a station like 'PRO with a greater majority of that 20% audience does quite well. But a station with a 1.5 share ... well, not so meaningful.

It's a convenience to "stay on" all night and a "reassurance." Not a money maker. But could they sign off? Sure. But to save money? Probably not a major consideration with the state of automation and remote control capability available.

Now, as to Holland's post ... he's right. July 28th at 1:00 a.m. ... just hope that stations stay on that long. It's the end as we know it. Surprised you guys didn't hear about it. I'm four time zones away and I got hint of it already.

That's why Holland's a great consultant. He's on top of it. But after tomorrow ... you all night board ops, be on the lookout. That troposcopic ducting from 540 to 1710 will be a doozy. I'm sure Noory will have details tonight on Coast to Coast ... for those who run it and not sign off.
 
The clues were everywhere...

oaktree said:
as to Holland's post ...It's the end as we know it. Surprised you guys didn't hear about it. I'm four time zones away and I got hint of it already.
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C'mon...it's THE oldest consultant joke: "Those who can't DO, teach."

Or, as Woody Allen added in Annie Hall: "Those who can't teach, teach gym."

In my case, gym is spelled "Jim," that's all.

Good afternoon from Washington, where, after all these years of do-this-don't-do-that-can't-you-read-the-signs, I'm finally walking-the-talk.
 
N1WVQ said:
WARL already signs off ~ 22:00.
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True enough. But....that old-fashioned sign-off announcement at 10pm contains an interesting little nugget of the 21st. Century......It informs listeners that from 10pm until 6 the next morning...1320's programming can still be heard by way of online streaming.

Although it may be happening more slowly than some may have predicted....WiFi & or WiMax, combined with internet streaming...is making a relentless march toward becoming commonplace.

It doesn't seem to be a matter of "if" anymore....only "when"...
 
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