illusionofjoy | Mirrored TSWP Entry - Sunday, October 27, 2002 (Reply)

I think I finally figured out what I want to do with my life. I want to own and operate my own commercial radio station. Yes, you read correctly, the dark übergeek (aka: me) wants to take to the airwaves for fun and profit. Isn't it just brilliant that I figure this out after wasting over four years and thousands upon thousands of dollars of debt at a state school?

In reality, it isn't as much of a waste as it would have been had I not gone to school at all. My devotion may be waning, but WAIH remains my one and only true love at SUNY Potsdam. Barring the enjoyment factor, however, I believe that my time with the college radio station has given me enough practical experience that I could successfully run a commercial station. I know how to format a playlist, set up a computer automation system, speak with promotional and label representatives and I have a mad set of on-air skills that range from long mic breaks consisting of speaking to mixing techno.

I've even had experience at an actual commercial station, however brief that may have been. I think I'm pretty qualified to operate my own radio station.

Of course, with this entrepreneurial realisation came my logical brain saying, "what the fuck are you thinking?" Indeed, this does seem like yet another pipe dream - to own my own business doing what I love and have it be successful. Let's examine for a moment, the formula that makes for a successful commercial radio station; sponsorship + a listener base = success! If I were to want to start a station that played my patented blend of "music that does not suck ™" then, I would first have to find businesses willing to support such an endeavour with advertising revenue, followed by an audience willing to consume the programming and the products advertised within the programming. Failure achieve either of these objectives, is equal to a dead radio station.

Before any programming can commence, one must actually lay the groundwork for the station. This means that start-up capital is needed. Money is essential if one is to purchase a license for the frequency, the transmitter itself, all of the studio and production equipment, media, general office supplies and a building to house everything. Even with used equipment and rented space, one is looking at thousands of dollars in expenditures, and the licensing fees one pays are set at the whim of the FCC.

I just don't have that kind of cash and I doubt I will anytime soon. Still, the dream remains and I know exactly what type of station I would create if given the chance. Perhaps I should just go out and take the chance...