Your own startup

[Radiofan101]

Assume you could make your own startup sports radio station. How would the station run? What kind of programming would you like to have on it, be it shows or actual games?

Now play it realistically. How would you deal with technical/business side of it?

[Scoobyfan1]

Cool; guess i'm the first post in this thread.

A while back I thought up an idea for a sports station that would pretty much be the leftovers of what KJR, KIRO and KHHO didn't carry(I live in the Seattle-Tacoma area).

The station would have been called Ticket ____(the blank being whatever the frequency would be); for programming, I drew up a plan that would have a Sporting News Radio affiliation, and possibly a secondary ESPN affiliation.

As far as play by play goes, I would probably pick up what's not carried in Seattle; which means NHL coverage from NHL Radio, any NFL game on national radio(Compass/Sports USA/WW1) that's not on locally, etc. Same with NCAA Football and Basketball during those seasons as well.

As for the buisness side, since this is madeup of course, I would probably try and purchase one of the spanish stations in the area and flip that to English. So I would be using their transmitter and all that technical stuff; oh, and I would definitely try and get some local shows on.

Actually, I pictured myself hosting the shows, and if that doesn't work, I would get somebody who's not working in radio at the moment and knows Seattle sports to host. I was thinking Tony Ventrella, possibly getting Rod Simons(from the old KSTW news locally; he was their sports director) from Minnesota, or possibly Bob Robertson,

And since ideally I would have the station studios in my home town, I think covering local High school, college and pro sports would be a must. The two local high schools in the area would get a ton of coverage, as well as University of Puget Sound sports, Tacoma Cobras football, Tacoma Tide Soccer, Tacoma Stars soccer, etc.

But anyway, I know all this will never happen, but I figure why not. Actually, I changed the idea to the Buzz(a hot talk/sports hybrid) since the demise of our local FM Talk station. I might change it back, or not.

[LAUROJRM]

good topic good topic!!!! I'm liking this. Almost like "Scoobyfan1" just said. I would call mine
"??.? The Ticket  (?? << is whatever frequency it is)
Week
Midnight-6am "Sporting News Radio"
6am-10am Local Show (Talk about all major games Baseball, Football, Basketball, and if have time Golf)
10am-3pm- Local Show
3pm-7pm (or until whenever games start) Local show
7pm-?? (or Game time until) Broadcast a Major Game in this timeslot. If a competitor is doing that, then put a local show on until 10pm
10pm-Midnight "Sporting News Radio"
Saturdays
Midnight-6am "Sporting News Radio"
6am-7am PSA Programs
7am-9am Syndicated Show
9am-1pm Local Show
1pm-Until Game Time "Sporting News Radio
7pm Until Game Time "Sporting News Radio"
10pm-Midnight "Sporting News Radio"
Sundays
Midnight-6am "Sporting News Radio"
6am-7am PSA Programs
7am-9am Syndicated Show
9am-1pm Local Show
1pm until Game Time "Sporting News Radio"
7pm Until Game Time "Sporting News Radio
10pm-Midnight "Sporting News Radio"

As I said, if another competitor has a game on, than either put a local show, in this is the case on the weekend, than from 1pm-4pm Put a Local show with local coverage updates of the game, as well as from 4pm-7pm (On weeknights same from 7pm-10pm)

[Mainedude2007]

I like the mostly local stuff but that only works in the largest of markets, you just don't bill enough to support that much payroll

As for what I'd do (again, I've done it before but this is if I had more control of the purse stings)

ESPN Radio, if I wasn't in the East I'd consider mixing in Dan Patrick/Jim Rome otherwise Sporting News with DP/Rome

Local afternoon show (or local morning and afternoon if I could afford it and not an ESPN affiliate)

SOME local sports, not to conflict with the regional/national contracts

Some regional sports teams...around my area everyone has the Red Sox (which comes at a price as do most of the pro teams, if I could sell it I would air it but if not, it's nothing or a minor league/college team)

If I had an NFL team contract I'd stay away from the national packages (there's just no need, unless it's Monday Night) If I didn't have an NFL contract, Sports USA and Westwood One both do Sunday afternoon doubleheaders)

The good thing with an ESPN Radio contract is the programming they provide...NBA and MLB games if you have NOTHING else to air or under contract. I know not every sports radio listener likes ESPN, but it has name recognition and sells pretty well from what I've dealt with. Part time affiliation works to an extent, but is out of the question if there's a full timer in the area. If ESPN isn't available at all, a sports station can work but you have to sign many contracts to cover up the hours and hours of sports talk during ideal game times.

[LAUROJRM]

The business side, I'd have to say (PROMOTIONS!!!!!!) Have lots of promotions, giveaways to sporting events, to furniture stores, free food giveaways (such as a certificate to a resturant) broadcasts either from games, or events throughout the city. Make ourselves known.

[Nate Wesley]

Really, I'm a guy who likes to have choice. I think the Mobile, AL area could use something better, or merely other than WNSP 105.5 out of Bay Minette.  Also--I'm going to be the Alabama born-and-bred broadcaster brave enough to put progressive talk radio shows on the air.  (And since its my fantasy--I get enough listeners and healthy biz support to stay on the air.) 

I'm commandeering WABB 1480 in Mobile, currently a third rate talk station flailing behind an FM talker and a Limbaugh affiliate in the same format--and blowing it up.

I give you 1480 THE 'SHOP (barbershop, wood shop, etc.)

4-6am The Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show
6-8am Bill Press
8-11am Dan Patrick
11-2pm Jim Rome
2-5pm Randi Rhodes
5-7pm Your Damn Show (local call-ins about anything)
7-9pm Nate Wesley Is an Idiot (My self-explanatory show)
9-12 midnight Alan Colmes
12-4am Sporting News Radio

No Saints thanks to WNSP...meh, the Falcons are better anyway.  If not the Dirty Birds, I'll get the Compass Media national NFL broadcasts.  No Tide or Tiger football? No problem...I'll affiliate with Florida, Georgia, or Mississippi State, touting my station as  'The home of SEC Football'. 

Business Plan: 1)Cater to men l who would take the time to read urinal flyers.
                    2) Profit.