Readers write: AM may pose a challenge for startup stations, but it can work as established channel
To the editors:
I read with interest your article in Current on AM public radio stations (Aug. 9, 2010). Here at Wisconsin Public Radio we operate two AM stations and 30 FM stations, and the Spring 2010 ratings for our flagship market in Madison, Wis., just came out:
WHA, a long-established public radio station on the AM band, had its largest AQH audience on record — 2,000. That is up 82 percent from Spring '09 and up 5 percent from the previous record of 1,900 set in Spring of '08. Cume audience in Spring '10 was also at an all-time high for WHA, at 35,100, up 32 percent from Spring '09 and 15 percent higher than the previous spring high set way back in 2002 of 30,400.
This shows what can be done with an established station. It is not indicative of the challenge facing a new startup public radio station on AM, but should be an important piece evidence in the overall AM situation.
Steve Johnston
Director of Engineering and Operations
Wisconsin Public Radio
Madison, WI
Web page posted Sept. 9, 2010
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