[BC] WITH 1230 move to Internet Broadcasting

[Bob Tarsio]

Bill:

Who knows? This may be the start of something big. They likely will spend
less to keep their "transmitter" lit than paying rent or taxes on the
property, maintenance, F.C.C. compliance, etc. I think you may be right that
it will be difficult to attract new listeners for a while but that may not
be for much longer. Are they listed on Shoutcast? If so, then they may have
the ability to attract a lot of new listeners. Were they streaming before
they went dark on the AM band? If they were they might well have attracted a
new audience to the AM side. Imagine all the kids out there today who have
very little exposure to AM radio. They have a huge exposure to the Internet
and Internet programming. Maybe reverse promotion is what many over the air
broadcasters need to do. 

Another consideration is that with the right local promotion and access to
wireless networks they may be a viable on air station via web enabled cell
phones and other web enabled devices. I was visiting an AM station just
yesterday where a friend of mine works. The owner walked in right after a
Christmas party had taken place which was an on air event with listeners,
clients, etc. The owner said that he was in NYC that morning outside of the
coverage area of the little 500 watter. He listened found a wireless node
and listened the station's stream on the Internet so that he could hear the
broadcast. I suspect lots of people are doing this and will do this as
wireless networks become more available and cost effective. I still think
the little AM transmitter should stay on though. I posted something the
other day mentioning the fact that it would be a good thing to be able to
hear emergency information on a battery operated AM radio when the power and
internet connections were off. Internet radio will take decades to be on par
with over the air radio for emergency use. The network is too fragile. AM/FM
and now digital broadcasting is a simple, robust technology with 100%
receiver penetration. Well at least for AM and FM anyway! 

It is a shame that the station you mentioned couldn't figure a way to stay
on air and be viable that way. I think they could have found a way if they
wanted to. These are tough times for AM operators. I wish them well in their
new endeavor. 

Happy Holidays!

Bob Tarsio
President
 
Broadcast Devices, Inc. 
5 Crestview Avenue
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
 
www.Broadcast-Devices.com
 

Tel. (914) 737-5032
Fax (914) 736-6916
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Bill Harms
Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006 19:09
To: broadcasters' Mailing List
Subject: [BC] WITH 1230 move to Internet Broadcasting

As noted in a previous message, WITH 1230 Baltimore vacated the AM 
band and is "broadcasting" on the internet as News Talk DC dot com 
and Town Hall DC dot com. They are not currently broadcasting from 
any AM or FM station.  I am not sure how they are going to attract 
new "listeners" especially since their are using a narrow band feed 
for their audio.  

What are other's opinions on this?

Bill Harms

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