D/FW Non-Coms Diversity

[txchipk]

One thing that has always fascinated me with this market is the line-up of the non-commercial part of the FM band (88.1-91.9). 

KTCU 88.7 and KEOM 88.5 provide some variety, but are each limited to one side of the market.  In terms of a full market signal, KNTU 88.1 provides a format -- jazz -- that you can't get anywhere else in the market.

Beyond that, there isn't much variety when compared to most other markets.  The bulk of the stations that reach more than half of the market are Christian religious variants -- KVRK 89.7, KCBI 90.9, KDKR 91.3, KVTT 91.7.  Sadly, our public broadcaster -- KERA-FM/TV -- does not seem to be in the same league as other outfits in the similar sized markets (KQED-FM/TV San Francisco, WHYY-FM/TV Philly) in terms of producing local content (unless KERA-TV's pledge breaks that now seem to occur every 3 week now is considered local programming).  KNON really seems to have become a non-factor; 15-20 years ago, you used to see people with KNON t-shirts and bumper stickers on their cars around town.  Today, it seems to be invisible...some of its blocks of programming (black gospel, Americana/Texas country, jazz, etc.) have full-time homes on other stations in the market.

In other markets, there seems to be often more than one choice for news/public affairs.  In other markets, there seems to be at least one alternative rocker (generally much more adventuresome than the local "Edge"/"Buzz" commercial station), etc.

In Houston, aside from the assorted religious outlets, you have Pacifica outlet KPFT 90.1 (part-time leftist news/talk; part-time KNON variety type), classic rock from Alvin Community College's KACC 89.7, jazz from Texas Southern's KTSU 90.9, alternative from Rice's KTRU 91.7. 

Even Bryan/College Station supports two public radio stations -- KEOS 89.1 and A&M's KAMU-FM 90.9.

Some markets like Atlanta have a completely diverse non-com dial.  A lot of that seems to be do to ownership by local colleges -- GSU's WRAS 88.5 "Album 88", GIT's WREK 91.1, Clark Atlanta Univ's WCLK 91.9 "Jazz 91.9" -- in addition to the other non-comm's (Radio Free Georgia WRFG 89.3 and classical/NPR WABE 90.1).


So, will this ever change locally?

[tested]

Ever is a long time, but for the foreseeable future - no. 
I think you kind of answered your own question really.  I think the commercial part of our band is so diverse that there's no need for much of that programming in the non-comm part of the band.  That's why so many of the programs that used to populate KNON are now heard elsewhere.  KNON is essentially a victim of its own success.  The shows were so popular that the commercial stations took them away and started to make money on them. 

The situation with KERA-TV/FM here is really very sad to me.  I think they're doing okay financially, but they don't have enough money to go out and make many of their own shows.  I think the FM station was deeply hurt by the tragic death of Glenn Mitchell.  They didn't really have anyone to fill those shoes.
Still, in the Fall 2006 book they had more listeners AQH than stations like KRLD.  They seem to be doing okay without a lot of local shows.

Other markets show more diversity of programming in the non-comm band, but it doesn't translate into popularity or listenership.  In Atlanta, the only non-comm that has a following is the NPR affiliate, WABE.  The others just have little to no listenership. 

Austin is interesting in that KUT is the #1 station in the market. (or at least tied for it in Fall 2006) KMFA almost made the top 10.

In San Francisco, KQED-FM is a top 5 station, but none of the other non-comms have much listenership.

Unless someone comes in and buys some of those religious stations, you won't see much change here for a long time to come.  I just don't see that happening.  Usually when there's a sale involved with those stations, they go from one religious broadcaster to another.

[Robert Bass]

KTCU 88.7 and KEOM 88.5 provide some variety, but are each limited to one side of the market.  In terms of a full market signal, KNTU 88.1 provides a format -- jazz -- that you can't get anywhere else in the market.

I'm not sure KNTU should be classified as full market signal.  I can hardly receive the station over here in Mesquite.  A booster antenna sometimes helps, but the signal is still staticy.

R

[jd]

KTCU 88.7 and KEOM 88.5 provide some variety, but are each limited to one side of the market.  In terms of a full market signal, KNTU 88.1 provides a format -- jazz -- that you can't get anywhere else in the market.

I'm not sure KNTU should be classified as full market signal.  I can hardly receive the station over here in Mesquite.  A booster antenna sometimes helps, but the signal is still staticy.

I'd have to agree, Robert. With less than a 500 foot antenna and a directional pattern that favors the north, KNTU's 100,000 watts doesn't cover Dallas or Fort Worth well at all.  Their "service contour" map from the FCC website: www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM506795.html That's the 60dBu; the city grade (70dBu) is considerably less.

[SportscasterJohn]

Unfortunately, I think you are going to see a lot less diversity on the non-com band.   Religious broadcasters have been stockpiling money getting ready for the new allocations to open.  One study I read expects that religious casters will get at leat 95% of the allocations.   

And lets face it... even though public radio gets good ratings, its a political football in Washington that allows the pols to reduce funding to appease constituents.