What would you do with....The AM's
Aug 14, 2023 16:02:46 GMT -6
Post by CAwasinNJ on Aug 14, 2023 16:02:46 GMT -6
Obviously the majority of radio listening these days is done on FM, but I think there are opportunities for AM. For one thing, AM stations' coverage areas can be much greater than is allowed (or even possible) with FM's, like KSL and KNRS. Couple that with limited other options and I wouldn't end those simulcasts.
Looking past that, there are stations with good signals that apparently nobody is listening to. For example, KKAT 860 and K-Talk 1640 are both 10kw days. We know the ratings for KKAT are almost non-existent. The last time K-Talk appeared in the public ratings was back in 2011 and it was similarly bad. Maybe they're doing better now and are just not subscribing, but I tend to doubt that. But what other format could be plugged in to either one? There was one idea I came up with. What about taking one and flipping it to all-digital operations as a simulcast of KSOP(AM)? Yes the AM is available on the HD of the FM, but the coverage area (particularly the solid coverage area) would be greatly enhanced. I tend to doubt Cumulus would want to sell, but I wouldn't be surprised if United would be open to a deal.
There've been some rumblings in the industry about just buying out and shutting down the multitude of AM's that are the radio equivalent of shouting during a hurricane. I think that idea has merit. The AM dial is a disaster (particularly at night) and cleaning out some of the stations that nobody can hear anyway might give the remaining stations at least a fighting chance to survive. That's obviously much bigger than just this market so we'll just have to see if anything ever comes of it.
Looking past that, there are stations with good signals that apparently nobody is listening to. For example, KKAT 860 and K-Talk 1640 are both 10kw days. We know the ratings for KKAT are almost non-existent. The last time K-Talk appeared in the public ratings was back in 2011 and it was similarly bad. Maybe they're doing better now and are just not subscribing, but I tend to doubt that. But what other format could be plugged in to either one? There was one idea I came up with. What about taking one and flipping it to all-digital operations as a simulcast of KSOP(AM)? Yes the AM is available on the HD of the FM, but the coverage area (particularly the solid coverage area) would be greatly enhanced. I tend to doubt Cumulus would want to sell, but I wouldn't be surprised if United would be open to a deal.
There've been some rumblings in the industry about just buying out and shutting down the multitude of AM's that are the radio equivalent of shouting during a hurricane. I think that idea has merit. The AM dial is a disaster (particularly at night) and cleaning out some of the stations that nobody can hear anyway might give the remaining stations at least a fighting chance to survive. That's obviously much bigger than just this market so we'll just have to see if anything ever comes of it.
