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How much consolidation is possible?

kfbkfb

kfbkfb

I know FCC rules cap station ownership for defined areas, has anyone done a (computer?) model of the minimum needed to provide terrestrial radio "services" similar to what the USA has now (certain music and talk formats available in markets where they rate high enough to be profitable)?

Every format for the local AM/FM/HD stations could be supplied by satellite with no actual local studios (except for local talk, and that could maybe be done w/Zoom type links between talk show hosts homes).

The ownership limits wouldn't matter since all the local AM/FM/HD stations would all be rebroadcasting satellite sourced music and talk content (except local talk).


Kirk Bayne
 
In theory it can be done, but there's no point to owning stations, especially in major markets, if you're going to subcontract all the programming to an outside company. That kind of business model was more popular in the 60s.

Companies like iHeart and Cumulus own syndication companies that offer the kind of satellite delivered programming, but other major owners, such as Audacy and Cox, don't want to utilize outside suppliers.
 
kfbkfb said:
I know FCC rules cap station ownership for defined areas, has anyone done a (computer?) model of the minimum needed to provide terrestrial radio "services" similar to what the USA has now (certain music and talk formats available in markets where they rate high enough to be profitable)?
Click to expand...
A model of the minimum what needed? Towers and transmitters?

Then who's to say what "rating high enough" means? Preaching and teaching doesn't tend to rate well, but if such a station it can pay its bills, why eliminate it?
 
Minimum transmitters - full power omnidirectional FM and 24hr AM (maybe 50kW day and as much as possible night) only.

The regular FCC radio station acquisition and licensing rules would still apply if someone wants to operate a radio station with their own content, perhaps funded by donations rather than ads.


Kirk Bayne
 
kfbkfb said:
Minimum transmitters - full power omnidirectional FM and 24hr AM (maybe 50kW day and as much as possible night) only.

The regular FCC radio station acquisition and licensing rules would still apply if someone wants to operate a radio station with their own content, perhaps funded by donations rather than ads.
Click to expand...

What you're asking for requires the spectrum allocations to be redone, and then the FCC rules re-written.

Along the way, existing licenses would have to be redone at great expense to everyone.

Other than that, sure. Why not blow everything up and start over?
 
kfbkfb said:
With competition from streaming, is having 1000s of USA radio stations justifiable?
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Those are the rules we have to live with. We don't make the rules.

As I said earlier, that's why radio & TV companies are moving to streaming. No rules.

Radio owners have tried to explain this to the gov't, and they don't care.
 
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