Does anyone know what goes on there? Is this a satellite hot AC or what do they have for their jocks? I can't find a website though they did send me their logo years ago. I still don't know how this station is programmed though.
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KDRM Moses Lake
- Thread starter icycool7227
- Start date
Listen for a while and you can figure it out. Note where the network spots are in the hour, whether there's one stand-alone, or whether there are two at the bottom of hour with 2 minute local in the middle, etc., and it can be identified. If there are no network spots in the hour, then it's probably locally-tracked (you'll also know that by the announcers).
ABC Hot AC has a website and mentions it often www.todaysbesthits.com . When you first go in, plug in the local zip code. If there is a local affiliate, it'll become their site.
Gimmee a few jock names and I likely can tell you...
ABC Hot AC has a website and mentions it often www.todaysbesthits.com . When you first go in, plug in the local zip code. If there is a local affiliate, it'll become their site.
Gimmee a few jock names and I likely can tell you...
I drove through there in August, and heard local Hot AC programming on 99.3 KDRM.
Specifically how did you identify that this was local? Not challenging it, just trying to identify what elements make a station sound local. A number of years ago as I was driving through Port Angeles, listening to KONP, I became convinced that that station was automated. It had all the earmarks. Imagine my surprise when I stopped by the station and found a real person spinning real records from a real studio. It just happened that he didn't have a personality and didn't like to open his microphone.
I remember when KDRM was B/EZ "The Dream, Stereo 99" (hence the KDRM calls)
Last time I was driving though Moses Lake, I listened and I can say for certain it IS satellite fed. When station calls/liners are dropped in at the end of a set at the same time the same voice-over is back announcing, well even a non radio-smart person can figure that one out easily......
Last time I was driving though Moses Lake, I listened and I can say for certain it IS satellite fed. When station calls/liners are dropped in at the end of a set at the same time the same voice-over is back announcing, well even a non radio-smart person can figure that one out easily......
I am surprised at how many stations that use satellite programming don't take care to make sure liners are voice-matched, level-matched, timing-matched, etc.
And some stations provide absolutely no local identity even to the content of the stop sets. A good programming service will provide near real-time weather forecasts, promos, etc. done by the network jock. And an affiliate will make sure that there is local content, like upcoming events, and that they are current.
It is difficult and sometimes impossible in a small market to provide fulltime programming without use of a music network or voice-tracking, and there are pros and cons to each. In each case, it can be done well, or done poorly.
And some stations provide absolutely no local identity even to the content of the stop sets. A good programming service will provide near real-time weather forecasts, promos, etc. done by the network jock. And an affiliate will make sure that there is local content, like upcoming events, and that they are current.
It is difficult and sometimes impossible in a small market to provide fulltime programming without use of a music network or voice-tracking, and there are pros and cons to each. In each case, it can be done well, or done poorly.
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radiofreqk1
Guest
The station is a "back-burner". It makes enough cash to pay the bills and not cost the owners money "out of their pockets". The station depends on a translator on Beezley Hill to cover the Ephrata area -- rather than upgrading the main channel to full class "A". The station is able to send cash each month, to the owners in Seattle. So what more is radio about these days ??
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radiofreqk1
Guest
NO. The owneris KSEM, Inc. in Bellevue, WA. KDRM isn't even a full class "A". It operates at 3 KW ERP at + 61 Meters HAAT ( + 76 M AGL ). Some could claim a waste of spectrum. Others might call KDRM a local Gem in the raw. I would call it a poor investment.
The President of KSEM Inc is Greg Zaser. I believe he is Jessica Longston's son.
Upgrading from the old Class A max to the current Class A max gives only a 3 dB increase, not a lot.
Sometimes a translator at another site can provide coverage beyond what a power doubling would provide.
Upgrading from the old Class A max to the current Class A max gives only a 3 dB increase, not a lot.
Sometimes a translator at another site can provide coverage beyond what a power doubling would provide.
sam said:
And why would some call it a waste of spectrum while others call it a "local gem in the raw"?
Why do you call it a poor investment?
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radiofreqk1
Guest
To me, a simple stand alone FM, such as 99.3 in Moses Lake, has a "limited" value. It can not be upgraded -- it's a stand alone in a very small "market" that has way too many other stations and at least one "Group Owned" set of stations that has a much more effective sales staff and sales program. There is at least one or more - open Class A channels that could be dropped into the area or applied for -- from a transmitter site on Beesley Hill, which would give a much better -- over-all coverage area. It would be a station that gives a limited return on the investment. However, it could be a good investment for someone else.
I disagree with your point about the value of a station. I would argue that there is nothing wrong, and more right with a local station like a KDRM when focused on a local town like Moses Lake. In fact, I think there is far more of an opportunity for a station like that to live and even thrive with a local owner who is happy with just serving their community, and less with trying to become an over-leveraged group like the failed New Northwest, and a now struggling Cherry Creek.. If done correctly, a station like KDRM can pay the bills, employ local folks, and become a farm-team for budding air talent.
Granted nobody is going to get rich owning a station like KDRM, but can at least make a decent living while serving their community.
Granted nobody is going to get rich owning a station like KDRM, but can at least make a decent living while serving their community.
Years ago, 99.3 KDRM was Jones (satellite delivered) Hot AC. However, when I was driving through the area last year, it was local Hot AC. KDRM's signal is limited due to 99.3 KQMY in the Yakima Valley.
"KDRM is NOT satellite delivered. Jim Davis has been doing a local morning show for years. They do voice track some shifts. Some of their programming is syndicated. While KDRM is not a powerhouse, it is local station and does all it can to promote the local community."
A philosophical question regarding the use of the term "satellite-delivered", as it appears that it is being used in a derogatory sense. Is this term being used for stations that use ONLY syndicated programming? What about the station (KDRM in your example) that has a local morning show, some voice-tracking, and some "syndicated"? Most all syndicated programming is satellite-delivered. And why would "voice-tracking" be better than "syndicated"? In the case of voice-tracking, no one is home, the tracks are delivered in a local voice but do not relate to the moment, and there is not an ability to tell the listeners of a late-breaking story. With satellite delivery, the jock is in another market but in real-time, which would be beneficial in the case of a major national event.
Just wondering.
A philosophical question regarding the use of the term "satellite-delivered", as it appears that it is being used in a derogatory sense. Is this term being used for stations that use ONLY syndicated programming? What about the station (KDRM in your example) that has a local morning show, some voice-tracking, and some "syndicated"? Most all syndicated programming is satellite-delivered. And why would "voice-tracking" be better than "syndicated"? In the case of voice-tracking, no one is home, the tracks are delivered in a local voice but do not relate to the moment, and there is not an ability to tell the listeners of a late-breaking story. With satellite delivery, the jock is in another market but in real-time, which would be beneficial in the case of a major national event.
Just wondering.
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