Please consider this...

[zombie69]

This is a repost of something I comented on but I would like more readers to consider this.


I just want to say a few things and I hope I dont offend anyone. I dont really post very often but I do follow the boards a lot. I can really see the nostalgic value in wanting to keep a heritage am station alive...but does anyone think that maybe its time to let go and embrace newer forms of broadcasting. here are many of old school djs and many ex-djs who recently lost their jobs due to the economy and corporate mis-management. I think eachand everyone of you should consider either joining forces or if you can handle the work load, staring your own internet radio stations. Most of you have at the very least a rudimentary understanding of the day to day operations of how to run a radio station. the technology is affordable, accessible to the consumers and growing at a fantastic rate...far faster then HD radio (from what I have read)....and if you have done radio then there will always be someone out there who remembers you. I'm not trying to anger the AM and FM lovers on his board, But mearly pointing out that instead of complaining about "how bad the corporate broadcaster have made things" Take some of that energy and help build the future of truly local truly independent broadcasting in your community. And If you think I am full of it and need to keep my opinions to myself thats fine no hard feelings, But I have been on the air online now since January, Just launched a community internet radio station that has 18 djs with another 6 lined up, and we seem to ba able to make enough money to keep our lights on. So please consider this, Bring an Independent voice back to your community.
Thank You. (please forgive any spelling errors)

 

[joep]

Zombie,

I have a few questions for you, and please don't be offended -- I don't mean to be snarky, but it may come off that way.

How does your sales department work? Do you have account reps that hit the pavement and visit your clients, or is it strictly telemarketing?

Do you serve your community running local news, PSAs, etc as a terrestrial broadcaster does?

How do you market the station? Do you advertise locally? Magazines? Billboards? How do you attract new listeners?

How is your station rated? Is there an equivalent to Arbitron, Neilson, or Eastlan for online only stations? If so, do national agencies use these ratings to place buys? Do you compete only with other LOCAL online broadcasters, or do you need to compete with all online broadcasters from around the globe?

Lastly -- you say you have enough revenue to "keep the lights on", but do you really have enough revenue to pay no less than TWENTY-FOUR JOCKS a decent salary? Or, as I suspect, are they all volunteers?

 

[jeffwoehrle]

I think Zombie's idea is a good one...and certainly has become something of a phenom.

Consider: www.garyinthemorning.com . Gary was canned by the rocket surgeons at Nassau following the Imus flap way back when. In a case of lemons to lemonade, Gary moved his show to the Internet (with far fewer content restrictions than Nassau) and signed up a boatload of advertisers. His show is making money and gaining listeners every month. His local content is exemplary and support from the community remains high. It can be done.

 

[radioboy]

Zombie,

I think this is something more "on the beach" folks may want to do.

I ended up beached myself with nowhere to go and nothing on the horizon.

Also, I realize not every former radio person will have the desire to run their own internet station.
It does take some money and a lot of time.

My station has been at the "pro" (able to sell advertising on our own) level for less than a year
but we're not where we need to be yet.

One idea I've kinda thought about is having some former radio folks host an hour or so
of their own program within our format for a nominal cost (basically the royalty payment.)
For my station, it would involve sending us a CD and music list to be aired via the Internet.

That way, they could enjoy doing a show without the hassle of operating a station. Just another idea..

 

[oldies4ever]

Question about internet radio- what about royalties on the music played?? Think I read something about the powers that be charging the internet stations a hefty fee; they also do this with traditional terrestrial stations that stream...can anyone shed light on this and how the royalty thing works???

thanks

oldies4ever/warm590 ;D

 

[radioboy]

I stream through Live365 and have a royalties-included pro package. It is true
that royalty payments make up a large percentage of the total cost.

There's no way around it if you want to be legal and licensed.

 

[BaltimoreJack]

There are so many new avenues coming along that open up alternatives to traditional radio. One thing that the media business in general is bad about is taking any sort of a "long view" of things. When radio came along the newspapers laughed at it and said it wouldn't last. When TV came along radio laughed at it and said it wouldn't last. When the internet came along TV laughed at it, and said it wouldn't last. There are new things being developed now at a rapid pace. And those who are willing to look into the future and try new things, will be the ones who will succeed while the rest gripe.

 

[canio]

I broadcast the Dunmore Bucks HS Football games via the internet and get between 400-600 listeners a game...we get our sponsors via the booster club...they make a decent amount of cash on the deal...so it can be done...

 

[zombie69]

Hey Joep...No you are correct all of my staff is volunteer. But thats the way I wanted it...they are here because they want to be here and help the community and play their music. Sales work just like they do at any other radio stations...of course right now its me out on the road selling and so far we are getting a pretty good reception. Now bear in mind our Community station just launched on monday so it hasnt even been on air a week yet...we still have a lot of work to do but it will get there. We use automation software so we broadcast 24/7 we promote by hitting the street meeting people in our community, talking to business owners, working with non-profit organizations and charities and of course we use most of the social networking sites to get our message out. The entire staff (of volunteers) is dedicated to doing the best job they can so they can be their for the community...and thats all we are trying to do. So thats kinda just the brief answer to your question...you did'nt come across as snarky. Thanks for responding

 

[zombie69]

Oh I almost forgot we...we do pay all of our royalties. For all of the Guys who might be considering launching their own Internet station...its no different then running a regular AM/FM station except is much cheaper to run and you lose the convienent just turn on the radio and listen factor...but Technology is cathing up and very soon you Will be able to get in your car and listen to internet radio...well actually I do already but I got a good deal on an unlimted data package for my phone.

 

[radio_monster]

who the hell listens to internet radio?

 

[masterg]

who the hell listens to internet radio?

OK, right now, sitting at my desk, feeling in the mood for a little jazz. I have in front of me a site with a list of jazz stations that stream. There are 31 stations on the list. 31 choices for jazz, all available in a market that never had one single jazz station. 31 stations I found with a keystroke, there are probably another 50 out there.

Right now I'm listening live to KKSF-FM in San Francisco. Yeah, right, who the hell listens to internet radio indeed. Why would anyone have any use for such a thing?

 

[jeffwoehrle]

who the hell listens to internet radio?

According to Radio-Info, the Internet streaming of twelve stations made the book:

"Those twelve stations' streams met the Minimum Reporting Standards. Highlights include, in the San Jose survey, the stream for Clear Channel Hot AC KIOI-IF “Star 101” San Francisco, which earned a 1.2 AQH share, 6-plus. Citadel Talker KSFO San Francisco had a 0.7 share. Citadel’s Hot AC WPLJ, New York Internet stream has a 0.9 share in the Middlesex, NJ book. In the Los Angeles survey, Clear Channel AC “Coast 103” KOST’s stream had a 0.8 share. Other stations which reached the Minimum Reporting Standards for their Internet streaming are: WVEE Atlanta, WLS-AM and WVAZ Chicago, WXYT Detroit, KTBZ Houston, WKTU New York (in the Middlesex, NJ survey), WBLI Nassau-Suffolk, and WRQX Washington D.C.

 

[zombie69]

Who the hell listens to internet radio....good question. Well I think the last survey said that 48 million people listened to internet radio on a regular basis...Oh and the numbers keep growing. I know internet listening isnt for everyone...but FM radio wasnt everyones cup of tea either when it first made the scene, now look at it. Internet radio will continue to grow, More people will listen, and more companies will invest in the technology to get your internet steam into every facet of your life including your vehicle which if I'm not mistaken will be launched by some of the auto makers later this year or early next. Hope this helps your opinion of Internet radio a bit. So maybe you might consider at least listening to an internet station or maybe starting your own...there is room enough for everyone.
Thanks for listening

 

[Radiodeity]

(who the hell listens to internet radio?)

Newspapers were asking who is gonna listen to radio? AM radio operators were asking who is gonna look at Television? TV operators were asking who is gonna listen to FM radio? FM radio operators were asking who is gonna listen to Satellite Radio? Satellite operators (and FM operators) are asking who is gonna listen to Internet Radio?

Quite a few mobile devices are now ready to receive streams from Network Music/Entertainment sources. And streaming software offerings are ready - http://tversity.com. As with any emerging technology there are always various speed bumps that appear but once the groundwork is established more and more sources will pop up. When I discovered GaryInTheMorning.com I was happy to see Gary jumping into a brand new pool before they tested the chlorine level fully. Did Gary's eyes burn for awhile? You bet. But he stuck with it and it appears it is now beginning to catch on. Those who are taking the leap into the new technology will be just like the first to establish a new FM station or begin a program on Satellite radio. Will something else come along that will be better? You bet! However, until that technology emerges Internet 'Broadcasting' may just be able to bridge the gap between the continually diminishing level of terrestrial radio listeners until the new 'thing' arrives. Wait... don't get your panties in a bunch - what I mean by diminishing level of listeners is the even wider fragmentation due to varied formats beginning to pop up. Formats we never saw before a few years ago. More and more specialized formats for more and more specialized needs - ethnic and 'foreign' language offerings springing up all the time. So the level as far as numbers may not be dropping by all accounts, its just the demographics are changing. And Internet radio will be the same, offering so many varied formats for people to take advantage of but unlike terrestrial or satellite radio, Internet is World Wide. And since more and more mobile devices are Internet broadcasting ready we will now be able to 'Take It Along®' pretty much where ever we go.

This could be a time when new business models will emerge. Some will flourish, other will be slamming their faces into the gutter. There will be a time of adjustment but no matter what happens this will be an exciting time in 'broadcasting history' just like when Morse code traveled the air-waves for the very first time.

RD