some ideas from other stations

[emily]

I chatted with a DJ at a local community station (WMNF) down here in FL about what they do, since they seem pretty successful (though their fundraising is down, too). They considered the 4-song rotation, too, but decided instead that each DJ would listen to other shows on other stations and repeat a couple songs they heard there.

I also notice that both WMNF (the community radio station) and WUSF (the university radio station/NPR affiliate) have a very active presence in bringing artists/concerts to the area. Their role in promoting concerts and attracting new artists to the area gets them free tickets to give away. I'm not sure if they work directly with the venues, or the artists, or...? I know they "sponsor" concerts, but I'm not sure if it's through financial support or just promotion or organization or what. Because of their participation, I see and hear their logos everywhere, which I'm sure increases listenership.

They also have a couple call-in shows revolving around current events that they do before or after Democracy Now (which they play daily). I'm not sure we would want to sacrifice music time to that, though.

Anyway, those are a couple ideas about what works for other stations.

[goldfinger]

Arnaldo (Danza Latina) had an excellent observation that he shared during Thursday's meeting... blocking "thematically-linked" shows together into a block of programming: in his vision, "Danza Latina", "Radio Tropicale", and "Reggae Vibrations" segueing into each other in some way or another. I spent a long time working in the NoVA area, and WPFW (Howard University) used to do just that on Saturday evenings. It kept me riveted on their signal for hours.
Of course, this is what's being called "specialty programming".

That might be more difficult to do with more "free form" shows... but every DJ has their own emphasis on what he-or-she wants their show to be, and what they choose to play. That could be cleverly crafted, even in a "strip" format.

[mandoman]

Other competing stations have a greater broadcast range of service than just the immediate Charlottesville area.