[BC] Question/Statement About The Cost of Streaming

[Craig Healy]

> Well, then I have an issue with how WMVY phrases it.
>
> To me, the website makes it very clear that it's the STREAMING that
> costs $500,000 a year. If they claim it's the streaming that costs
> that much, but it's really the entire station operations, then they
> are being unfair and deceitful to their listeners by not making
> things more clear.

Hardly deceitful.  Other than the tiny percentage it costs to keep the 92.7
RF working, all the costs are directly connected to the stream.  It's the
content, and that's what they build with the money.  There is *nothing*
other than the direct transmitter costs that could be cut without affecting
the stream content.

If you had a 24/7 stream at your station that pretty much duplicated what
you pump into the transmitter, just what could you eliminate that wouldn't
have some effect on the stream?  And you'd save how much?  The electrical
cost to feed the transmitter, plus a little bit of money for maintenance?
That leaves all the salaries, all the rent or mortgage, all the taxes, the
heat and air conditioning.  Phone costs.  Everything.  Heck, even the dog
food.

The delivery method is essentially irrelevant to content creation, as long
as it's convenient to the listener.  The making of unique and interesting
programming, plus the business support (sales, technical, traffic,
management) is where the majority of costs are.

What would be unfair would be for them to trash what they do and join the
satellite mules and do something like Jack FM.  I sure as hell would never
gripe at someone trying very hard to fulfill a dream - and doing a great job
of it.

Craig Healy
Providence, RI