Greetings. WDSW-LP 88.1 Delta State University, Cleveland.

[Stephanie_S]

I'm new to the area, but thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself and since we're all radio nerds here and share what's going on in Cleveland with WDSW-LP.

Gone is the indiepop/pop/AAA format. I have flipped the format to a hybrid 35+ adult AAA/Americana/Classic Rocker. This is just an interim format until we get some new automation in place. Since we have no classic rocker in the Delta, it just made sense to blend some of the genres together and do something quirky that isn't serviced by our commercial friends. A major difference too is we are programming to our community now rather than to the college campus.

WDSW-LP also has some other things in the works, however a station that was on life support in the Delta, there is life with it and I'm pushing to get it situated and taken care of. I should have more to share in the coming weeks.

Cheers,
Stephanie Sandlin
WDSW-LP Station Manager.

 

[b-turner]

Very cool Stephanie. I have somewhat followed the station since it's inception. Let's hope you have a free hand to make it work. If I can suggest something, I'd put some importance on selling Underwriting. Too many college owned stations get caught 'costing' the college versus generating the dollars to be self-sufficient. When budgets get tight it's those that 'cost' that get trimmed.

 

[Stephanie_S]

Greetings!

I know there has been interest in the station over the years and people who WANT to see it work. There have been some political factors that have made the station struggle a bit. I can tell you, the political issues - I have a meeting on Monday with the Provost and some other officials within the University to discuss restructuring. If that goes well, it'll open up a mission for the station instead of 'free floating' like it has been since it's inception. It'll also give me a reason to be funded, at least partially.

I appreciate your suggestion about underwriting. We're on that one. Our WDSW advisory committee has already discussed it and we're awaiting the verdict of our restructuring plan before we proceed. I have to get the station dialed in to where I think it'll work which I anticipate will be January. Then, underwriting and sponsorships will commence full speed. I've already got several businesses in Cleveland onboard and they love what I've done to the station so far.

Currently, no announcing yet as we're still using the EZ Automation that Elijah Mondy gifted us. I plan to introduce voicetracking and some live announcing in February or March when we get our new automation situated (or a handmedown of Simian 2.2.2) along with new imaging. I'm compliant with the EAS protocols FOR NOW. I have a budget request out for new equipment and a Sage Endec EAS to get us situated for the future.

I came from KEWU 89.5/Spokane, WA as APD and have been in broadcasting since the early 90s. I've preached to them one FCC fine and the board will say 'get rid of it.' It needs a hand on the rudder and a reason to exist. Radio stations can't be left chained in the backyard and not taken care of. I've got one step done, now I'm working on that reason and going up to the University brass is what we've been doing.

It's amazing it survived 'free floating' like it did with zero resources and zero budget. We can get it there, but it'll be a lot of hard work by me and the University seeing the value in pulling the station closer and giving it a reason to live - ultimately turning it into a resource to students as a educational tool, University outreach and community connection that will be unique in Cleveland.

We can get it there.

Cheers.

Very cool Stephanie. I have somewhat followed the station since it's inception. Let's hope you have a free hand to make it work. If I can suggest something, I'd put some importance on selling Underwriting. Too many college owned stations get caught 'costing' the college versus generating the dollars to be self-sufficient. When budgets get tight it's those that 'cost' that get trimmed.

 

[Stephanie_S]

A thought on self-sufficiency.

Most University stations need some form University funding, at least from my experience - even the NPRs. The lynchpin as I see it does the station serve a larger mission with the University such as job skills and whatnot? More importantly, does the station have a curriculum around it and serves as giving students hands-on real world experience as part of degree? If yes, those stations *can* be a little safer.

It goes back to a reason to exist - as part of curriculum. The only stations that are fully funded it seems are private liberal arts colleges. They have the money to let the students have their creative outlet with no broadcast program attached.

I don't expect to fully fund myself, I do expect to fund and cover my operating expenses. I do hope they'll match me, if I'm teaching broadcasting courses and the station is the lab. THAT is our reason to exist (and fund).

The plan here is to get a partial fund, then with that investment, I can put enough together to start to make it go with underwriting.

Cheers.

 

[CTListener]

Sounds like a cool format, and I can see it working someplace like Austin or Asheville, but is there an audience for it in the Mississippi Delta?

 

[Stephanie_S]

Considering we are 100w. I am hoping that online and our streaming will become a huge part of our fundraising.

Our terrestrial signal goes 10 miles, 15 on a good day. As such initiatives such as cultivating a strong streaming audience will be essential.

Sounds like a cool format, and I can see it working someplace like Austin or Asheville, but is there an audience for it in the Mississippi Delta?

 

[b-turner]

Stephanie, you make a great point on WDSW being a part of the curriculum. That gives it a certain value far beyond just being a creative outlet for students but some reasoning an online version is just as good as an over the air version when it comes to a few colleges.

Some 'sales' experience goes a long way in the business. I experienced the value of programming and on air work versus the ability to sell in commercial radio. For many in radio management (as most came from sales) the ability to generate income through sales is considered more of an advantage. I have actually heard these words: jocks are a dime a dozen; a salesperson isn't. I was lucky in that I had a decade in the on air/programming side before being forced in to sales. That understanding of how radio works really helped me on the sales side. Anyway, programming and on air is equally important to the ability to monetize it with sales.

At any rate, I am excited for you. You have a canvas and a brush to create your masterpiece that will inspire and influence. It is a rare opportunity. Enjoy every minute of it.

 

[Stephanie_S]

I agree sales is essential. I've had quite a bit of fundraising experience in the non-com side. Part of my blues programming I produced and hosted relied heavily on the non-com models of fundraising.

In terms of commercial broadcast sales, I've made connections with a few broadcast sales professionals in my local clusters. In addition to my upcoming efforts, we've discussed bringing in a sales person on a commission basis to aid in our underwriting and sponsorship efforts. I would work with them in tandem to help assist me and partner with me to drive 'on the ground' fund raising.

You're right that the internet in some cases, makes a terrestial transmitter look unnecessary. It's the skills that are most important since even though our industry is always changing and much of it is going to an online model, the skills are still needed even if there is no transmitter involved.

One of our consultants has said once we start to get traction we'll be surprised by our online monetization potential. I hope that's the case. I need to get us on the Alexa device for our streaming among many things. That's an initiative for next year.

Thanks for your kind wishes. We're going to give it a serious and real attempt at priming the pump and doing it for the long haul.

Cheers.

Stephanie, you make a great point on WDSW being a part of the curriculum. That gives it a certain value far beyond just being a creative outlet for students but some reasoning an online version is just as good as an over the air version when it comes to a few colleges.

Some 'sales' experience goes a long way in the business. I experienced the value of programming and on air work versus the ability to sell in commercial radio. For many in radio management (as most came from sales) the ability to generate income through sales is considered more of an advantage. I have actually heard these words: jocks are a dime a dozen; a salesperson isn't. I was lucky in that I had a decade in the on air/programming side before being forced in to sales. That understanding of how radio works really helped me on the sales side. Anyway, programming and on air is equally important to the ability to monetize it with sales.

At any rate, I am excited for you. You have a canvas and a brush to create your masterpiece that will inspire and influence. It is a rare opportunity. Enjoy every minute of it.

 

[Stephanie_S]

Greetings all!

An update on WDSW-LP. We've flipped brands. 2/3 of the way where we want. AAA/Roots/Blues/classic rock wheel is in place. I'm doing my hot rotations manually due to the nature of current automation. Still working on getting the new automation situated in. Glen Musgrove is coming up later this month to fully integrate Simian and Music Master.

Good interest so far with local businesses wanting to do underwriting along with individual financial support. We've not got our website up yet (covid-19 delay).

DSU radio course starting in the fall which I'll be teaching. Using this text: https://www.routledge.com/The-Radio-Station/Hendricksah2-Mimsah2/p/book/9781138218819

Cheers,



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WDSW-LP#88.1_WDSW_The_Trail

 

[Jonathan]

Very cool, Stephanie! I hope things continue to go along smoothly with the station (as much as they can right now). I've enjoyed your progress notes.

And my condolences on your use of Simian.

 

[Stephanie_S]

Thanks Jonathan.

One step at a time.

Regarding Simian though. Wideorbit is always my preference but that's out of my budget. I know Simian, I've used it in at prior stations and can make it do what I want it to do. It's a compromise.

If you want to see what I've been working with since September, here's what's running now: EZ automation. It's primarily in use by religious broadcasters and our version is XP based. Being able to get into the modern era with Simian is a start. Plus, I was able to get a XP license of Simian gifted to me which allowed me to upgrade for 30% off for version 2.3.4. Not ideal, but its a start. If some future things work out, I'll need another automation in the future. With more money, I'll go bigger with the new project and Simian will become a secondary system.

Here's a screenshot of EZ Automation:



Cheers.

 

[Groove1670]

You might look at StationPlaylist. We use it on our FM in Meridian, and our other station in Alabama. Comes with robust music scheduler. $699. Support is only $70 a year. Been on the air since 2013. Has not crashed or missed a spot. Very simple set up and has full broadcast features.

 

[Spareparts]

Another option....

You might want to take a look at Rivendell. Since you have a CS department on campus, the Linux support issue pretty much goes away.

Cost is Zero, with commercial support if you wish to purchase it. http://www.rivendellaudio.org/

 

[Oldie919]

You might look at StationPlaylist. We use it on our FM in Meridian, and our other station in Alabama. Comes with robust music scheduler. $699. Support is only $70 a year. Been on the air since 2013. Has not crashed or missed a spot. Very simple set up and has full broadcast features.

Another vote for StationPlaylist....Like Groove, our central NH LPFM has been running SP Studio and Creator (Standard version) since 2016.....VERY stable and flexible enough for small stations (especially non-coms like us!)....

 

[Stephanie_S]

Thanks for all the thoughts on this one.

Automation is always a complex topic factoring in needs/cost/function/stability/standalone-or-not.

The additional reason I decided on Simian was that one of my consultant/advisory board members strongly advocated for it. Since main mission is to be a learning lab for students to get real-world broadcast skills. We need a software that my students will run into in the wild. He made a case that Simian is in use in clusters around our region, so I made the call.

I'll check out StationPlaylist. I've not heard of it. Rivendell was considered too. One of the commercial clusters in the Delta uses it.

Cheers.

Another vote for StationPlaylist....Like Groove, our central NH LPFM has been running SP Studio and Creator (Standard version) since 2016.....VERY stable and flexible enough for small stations (especially non-coms like us!)....