Dave wrote:

msg wrote:

Bob Campbell wrote:

snip

Also, I find it fascinating that so many people here seem to be
cheering the demise of HD. As HD goes, so goes radio. The fact
that HD appears to be failing only reinforces the idea that there is
no interest in radio at all. No one cares about HD because no one
listens to commercial radio any more.


I find this proposition presented in this NG all too often and find it
arrogant and disgusting. Living in a smaller market, filled with folks
decidedly not in the coveted demographic, we for the most part support,
and appreciate our local AM and non-commercial radio stations and
tolerate
the ever-changing FM cacophony; there is no crisis of profitability or
viability in our AM market and if it were threatened you can be sure of
a loud protest in halls of government from our citizens.

Michael

Thank-you. Just because giant public companies can't run radio at a
profit, there's no reason to write off the medium. Ma and Pa operations
can make money, if they provide a service.

FWIW, I have been impressed with the longevity and programming at WGPA (Lehigh
Valley PA -- I listen to the Internet stream) and cite it as a splendid example
of what AM can be. From some 'radio-info.com' forum posts:

Joe's station may be a peanut whistle, but it's probably the last true
example of what radio stations should be. It should serve the community's
interests. Yes, people actually do like polka...yes, people really believe
what Ron Angle says...yes they are members of the community that are served
by WGPA...just like the droolers who listen to the same 20 songs over and over
on the 5o Kw flamethrowers in town...for such a "crappy" station, it does get
alot of attention here, doesn't it?

....and

I was visiting family in the Lehigh Valley area over the last couple of days,
and just out of curiosity stopped in and payed Joe a visit at WGPA. He gave
me a very friendly welcome and a tour of the facility. It is really quite
well equipped for a small station. Just like my station, WIOO in Carlisle,
WGPA is still all live with local personalities and no automation. Gotta love
that. We discussed where we can still get pads for our carts! WGPA has a new
transmitter and processing and sounds technically very good and clean. Joe
really does provide his community with something none of the conglomerates
can offer. I wish him a long healthy life and his station continued success.

Michael