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Free non-com programming ??

L

Lazy J

I am doing a little side work for my old high school. They recently were approved for a 200 watt non-com station. It's a tiny school in the middle of nowhere and they will mainly use it for school sports, etc. They need programming to fill the nights and weekends. Preferably a 24 hour FREE satellite service, could be talk or music. Not really looking for any individual shows because someone would have to program the automation.

ANY suggestions?
 
if they are looking for a few other programs, try Dialogue, WAMC programming, Quality Radio Productions...google them on this website, Putumayo World Music Hour & Acoustic Cafe.
 
Thanks, butlerguy, for thinking of QRP. I hadn't been on this particular board in a while, and was going to post a "reminder" that I offer several free weekly programs to public radio stations at no cost. No, it isn't a continuous service by any means, but the shows would add some diversity to any station's programming. QRP has grown somewhat since my last post on the subject, and I am anxious to add more stations to the roster. Everyone can learn more about the programs, and download current editions of each show, at:
http://qualityradioproductions.angelfire.com
 
No programming is entirely "free"...you still have to pay for either the means to acquire it (satellite downlink, or high-speed internet) or...if music...you'll have to pay the performance rights organizations (PRO's) like ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, possibly SoundExchange as well if you stream on the internet, too. Just something to keep in mind.

I believe Radio Bilingue is free to pick up and is 24/7, although I don't know if they distribute by any means other than the PRSS (www.prss.org)...we use them for mornings on WHWS.

I just talked about this on another thread, but you can also consider LMA's (Local Mgmt Agreement) with a (relatively) nearby public radio station to carry their programming whenever you're not on the air. You may have to agree to "guarantee" a certain amount of airtime to them but that might not be much of a hardship at all....for example, they may want morning drive (5-10am) but if you don't have any students willing to be on the air that early anyways, then you're all set!
 
You might want to check out the Public Radio Exchange, located at www.prx.org. It is a sharing service for stations and producers. There are very reasonable fees for access to downloadable programs.

Individual producers and stations can also earn credits by posting programming that is used by others. A lot of the programming is made available free of charge and I'll bet that any fees would be very low for a small station such as yours.

Good luck with your efforts.
 
Ah yes, PRX...shame on me for not thinking of them! Great service!

BTW, there's also Pacifica Radio programming, and the Pacifica-related shows of FSRN and Democracy Now. Quite popular with certain crowds and free to many smaller stations. They all distribute on the Pacifica Ku-band satellite, which is relatively inexpensive to purchase the gear for...although not satellite service is "cheap" by any stretch. But both DN! and FSRN have podcasts, and I'll bet most of the Pacifica network shows have podcasts, too.

FWIW, I checked and Radio Bilingue is available via Ku band satellite as well as the PRSS satellite. They don't say you can pick it up via webcast but I don't see why you couldn't do that...other than the risks of dropouts and probably not-so-great audio quality. But it'd be cheap! FWIW, if you wanted both RB and Pacifica, you'd need two separate Ku downlinks since each is on a different satellite.
 
Or, depending on what your budget is, get a new computer (at least 2 gig speed), get a legal copy of Windows XP, purchase Station Playlist Software Suite for $399, and create your own musical format or programming during downtimes...you can create a format clock in Station Playlist, put MP-3 music, student created sweepers and ID's into your computer and you have your own custom programming you can tailor to your own community. A budget of under $1,000 should do it. And it's largely a one-time cost.

I recognize your suggestion was for "free" programming, and perhaps not immediately do-able for a school station. But, SPL is multi functionable...allowing your students the ability to do live shows, and even voice track shows in advance. It would certainly be more local than just your station on a satellite, and would offer your students more viable experience that could be used to help get them a job in a commercial station.
 
There's several options for music-based automation. I did some articles on it a few years ago:

1. http://friedbagels.blogspot.com/2007/01/staying-on-air-when-no-ones-there.html
2. http://friedbagels.blogspot.com/2007/01/staying-on-air-when-no-ones-there-part.html
3. http://friedbagels.blogspot.com/2007/01/staying-on-air-when-no-ones-there-part_15.html

Here's a powerpoint presentation I did for the 2008 CBI conference on the subject:
http://www.friedbagels.com/cbi/2008/2008cbi-aaronread-radioautomation.ppt

Honestly, though, I'd look more for a satellite service. There's probably music radio stations in your market already and unless you're going to put a fair amount of work, on pretty much a daily basis, into setting up and programming your automation...your station will sound no better than any of the other music stations around.
 
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