A new way for small stations to survive? WAS [BC] WANO back on the air

[Dana Puopolo]

Here's an interesting story. 

Bob Bittner is the sole owner of WJIB AM 740 in Cambridge (Boston),
Massachussetts. He runs 250 watts ND day, about 7 watts at night.
He has been running a 'good music' format, with no commercials. The station
was mainly financed by running Radio France Monday through Friday from 7-9
AM.

On Febuary first, he lost Radio France due to cutbacks. Then his music rights
fees more then doubled.

Bob decided to try the listener supported model. He went on air and told his
listeners that his calculations showed that he needed $88,000.00 to run the
station through the end of the year.  He asked for donations, making sure to
tell his listeners that the donations were NOT tax deductible. He sais that if
he didn't have the 88K by the end of June, he'd refund all the donations he
got, and then decide what to do with the station. He ran this in a very low
key way several times a day...

What happened?

It took him a mere SIX WEEKS to get the 88k! He received over 2400 checks,
with the average contribution between 20 and 25 dollars. Not one check bounced
and only a single one had a stop payment put upon it.
The highest dpnation he got was $1000.00, the smallest two dollars. 
Even Bob is amazed that his listeners are that loyal. He has thanked them
profusely on air and promised to keep the station running as is through 1997.


Bob suggests that other small stations that have loyal audiences try this
idea.

I congradulate Bob for his success, not only with his fundraising, but with
his ability to get and hold a truly loyal audience!

NOW...to get WJIB streaming online....

-D 

------ Original Message ------
Received: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:07:11 PM EDT
From: "Paul B. Walker, Jr." <walkerbroadcasting at gmail.com>
To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
Subject: Re: [BC] WANO back on the air

I can think of some other stations to add to that list!!:)

-- 
Paul B. Walker, Jr.
www.walkerbroadcasting.com
walkerbroadcasting at gmail.com

On 4/25/07, Mike Erickson <wirelessmedia at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> It's places with stations like WANO, WWJB, WLNG, WMRO, WGHT that radio is
> still made.
>
> =Mike Erickson=
>
> On 4/25/07, Douglas B. Pritchett <wbzq1300 at verizon.net> wrote:
> >
> > When one considers the industry and profession, it's stations like this
> > that need to be celebrated and honored, for it is they that define the
> > medium. People like Josh Wilkey and my friend Scott Bailey should be
> > considered heros in our eyes..
> >
> > --
> >
>
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