Does anyone know if KRML-AM is still hanging on with the mainstream jazz in Carmel, CA? Last I recall they went bankrupt. Tho' for my taste, the programming was very good, as least last November when I was in the area. They were on AM 1410, and on an FM translator just in Carmel, and played what many "sophisticates" would want to hear along the Monterey Peninsulain the form of medium-tempo and relazed straightahead jazz. Better "background" music than most, because there was something solid about the artists and their playing that also didn't have to be "background" if you wanted to listen more closely.
Not having "room" for any of these niche formats anymore makes me wonder why each commercial conglomorate really needs to "own" five or six of the best frequencies in every market, since they no longer promise to provide so-called speciality programming as part of their package of stations.
Why can't FCC policy allow for some specialized program outlets? (I know, I can't believe I said that either. Doesn't mean I don't want it to somehow happen.) They don't have to worry about stepping over some imaginary line of "regulating the program content" to make allocations for stations that are licensed to provide programming to unserved interests, which is getting to be an larger portion of the potential radio audience every year.
Because the "marketplace" concept is rigged for only one type of broadcaster. And, more and more, as these discussions prove, only a small handful of programming options. And even if you don't personally enjoy jazz, "smooth jazz," world music, children's programming, classical or opera, showtunes or standards, oldies or dusties or moldies or whatever, why should entire genres of music, much of which is a big part of our incredible national heritage, be allowed to rot?