In researching the history of Houston radio I've come across something kind of puzzling - perhaps someone here can offer some insight.
I've come across a number of applications and permits for daytime only stations in the 1940s. For instance, Houston's 9th oldest station, KCOH, originally launched in May, 1948, was daytime only for many years (originally a 'Good Music' station, they had an FM permit but never activated it). And Galveston's 2nd oldest, KGBC, 1540, launched in February, 1947, was a daytimer for the first few years. (Both stations still with the original calls on the original frequencies, btw). There were other applications for daytimers that apparently were never granted or activated.
Why? The AM dial was not crowded, which is why I thought some broadcasters opted for or got stuck with daytime only operations. Was it economics? - cheaper to build and operate? Was there some concern about not being able to compete against the network affiliates in the evening?
Was this true elsewhere, too?
I've come across a number of applications and permits for daytime only stations in the 1940s. For instance, Houston's 9th oldest station, KCOH, originally launched in May, 1948, was daytime only for many years (originally a 'Good Music' station, they had an FM permit but never activated it). And Galveston's 2nd oldest, KGBC, 1540, launched in February, 1947, was a daytimer for the first few years. (Both stations still with the original calls on the original frequencies, btw). There were other applications for daytimers that apparently were never granted or activated.
Why? The AM dial was not crowded, which is why I thought some broadcasters opted for or got stuck with daytime only operations. Was it economics? - cheaper to build and operate? Was there some concern about not being able to compete against the network affiliates in the evening?
Was this true elsewhere, too?