Would you buy a radio station in a market of 15,000 people?`

[Mike 03]

This is a strange question, I know, but if you had the opportunity to buy a radio station in an area that... oh, I am not even sure how to phrase this question. A small town that could become something, and it has a radio station that is good but not perfect, but could be with little work, and you love radio... Would you take a massive risk and try to get into radio, or just let bygones be bygones and be happy with what you have?

[KamaAina]

1. I have often thought about this

not in a town quite that small, which likely would not have any transportation options for my non-driving self, though.

AM or FM? (AM = progressive talk; FM = add in some well-programmed lefty music)

edit: I see you are in AZ. What a perfect opportunity to say "Brewer es llena de mierda de toro" every hour on the hour. :P

[Kaleva]

2. The county I live in has a population less then half that.

Y-101 is the local radio station and it's successful.

[Luciferous]

3. I would do it.

[kentauros]

4. I've done radio,

but I'm afraid the kind of music and whatever else I play probably wouldn't go over too well for a market as small as 15k. I barely got noticed on a Pacifica station in a market of 2 million ;)

[david13]

5. What is the price. dc

[Boojatta]

6. "or just let bygones be bygones"

Are you contemplating the purchase of a radio station to take revenge on somebody?

"massive risk"

[nolabear]

7. Oh yeah, it's a major fantasy.

I love radio. I'd have a blast. Good business? Nope. It's your boat, iykwim.

[Rowdyboy]

8. I worked at a small market southern station back in the 1970's....

Wish you all the luck in the world but I wouldn't do it myself. Too much work, too little reward. But the opportunities to be creative are endless. Thats a hell of a lot of fun.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. no.nm

[Fire Walk With Me]

10. There is a lot more to it than that decision alone, of course.

If this is not a hypothetical, do a lot of research into the politics and legalities, and even consider a webradio site instead.

[eyepaddle]

11. It'd come down to price honestly; it sounds like you've got some background in the biz

If you think you can make the numbers get to reasonably work, I'd go for it.

If it is gonna cost you three million dollars that you'd have to borrow and you could expect 50k/year in revenues, well then I'd pass.

Good luck.