Downs Agrees: It's A Great Day

11-1-13

Radio Ink has been reaching out to AM broadcasters across the country for reaction to the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revitalize the AM band. Ben Downs is the VP/GM of Bryan Broadcasting, a group of seven stations in Bryan-College Station, TX. He has several AM stations in his cluster and has also been chairman of the NAB AM Revitalization taskforce committee. Downs says this is great news for small- and medium-market broadcasters. Here's why.

Downs says if this moves through the comments stage quickly, there are many AM broadcasters who will regard this as the lifeline they've been looking for. "Imagine the change coming to an AM daytime licensee as they're allowed to be heard on the FM dial 24 hours a day. I'm even more encouraged that this isn't a one-and-done item.  The AM band has been abused and patched so often there is no single solution. The request by the FCC for suggestions on how to shape and plan the next steps is an acknowledgement that AM is a vital part of local community service. Now we have to implement these translators for AM stations and move to the next step: a long-term solution for all AM stations. As Commissioner Pai said, "Now the fun begins."

Downs had praise for Pai and the current commission. "As long as I have been in radio, I can't remember an FCC staff or commission that has been more responsive to broadcasters."

(11/1/2013 10:56:11 AM)
I would have to agree with Mr. Downs. As a small broadcaster, it was a pleasure to meet with Commissioner Pai. While this proposal may not be perfect with everyone, I feel this is a great chance for everyone to have a reasonable discussion and bring up ideas without all of the bashing that we have seen in years past. We all can agree the status quo won't work so lets work to find some reasonable solutions!
- brian winnekins-co-owner WRDN Radio Durand, WI
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Jock Mocks Caller With Down's Syndrome

1-30-2013

No mention as to whether "Mo," host of the "Mo Radio Show," on WDJQ (Ohio) alerted 30 year old Kellie Baker she was being recorded before he made fun of her and played the tape over the year. Baker called the station by accident and thought she was talking to her friend's father. Baker has Down's Syndrome and her parents are calling what the host did bullying. The Times Reporter Newspaper in Dover-New Philadelphia Ohio says the station has issued an apology, sort of. There was no mention of any action taken against Mo (pictured here).

?Q92 and ?The Mo Show? would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its support of efforts to raise awareness regarding the challenges faced by those with developmental disabilities. Specifically, the station wishes to sincerely apologize again for any actions or comments that could be construed as making light of the challenges faced by persons that are developmentally disabled or casting those persons in any humorous light. The station?s policy is to treat our callers and listeners with the utmost respect, professionalism, and sensitivity.?

Read the full story from The Times Reporter HERE

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Downs Says His 3rd Quarter Was Very Strong

10-12-2012

For public companies, earnings season kicked off yesterday when we heard from Emmis Communications. Today, in an effort to cover the entire spectrum of operators, we take a look at how one of radio's successful small market broadcasters performed in the 3rd quarter. Ben Downs is the Vice President/General Manager of Bryan Broadcasting which owns 7 stations, all in Bryan/College Station, Texas. Downs says he was up 14% in the third quarter. "The Texas primary season was a substantial influence with considerable political money coming into the stations.  Since Texas is the reddest of the Red states it is not contested nationally, thus we have seen very few dollars for the general election."

Bryan says his station outperformed the market. "Given we?re a market with nearly 60,000 college students, advertising market fluctuations are much less severe; the whole market is most likely up over 2011.  I would estimate it to be up 3%.  Because of that unusual composition our largest category is apartment housing, followed by entertainment, automobiles, healthcare and political.  As far as categories, it?s about the same order as it has ever been.  One interesting outlier has been our sports station.  Perhaps it is a reflection of the mainstreaming of the format and the influx of new talent, but the station is outperforming all our other stations.  During August is was up 25% over 2011.

And looking ahead to the 4th quarter Downs says it looks like things are cooling off. "We?re seeing some softness developing in our 4th quarter.  Our tracking is about 5% below our projected growth curve for 2012.  As a local, direct market I suspect that there is a lot of attention on the Presidential campaign.  Once that is settled we expect our advertisers to turn their attention back to the business at hand: growing market share and profitability.
If I had to test the waters this early in the 4th quarter, I?d say the mood is less positive among clients than earlier in the year.  Perhaps it is simply election fatigue."

Reach out to Ben Downs HERE

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