Community Radio From Sactown to Auburn
Americans listen to the radio more than they use Facebook.It’s About Our Community
Community Owned and Operated
LPFM stations are owned and operated by the communities they serve, not some big corporation. All donations are tax deductible and 100% of the funds are used to run the station. There are no “share holders” waiting for profits to go up, just a bunch of music lovers working together to build a better community.
Music To Your Ears
Listeners can enjoy the same commercial free, locally focused station from Auburn to West Sacramento. No corporate BS, no repetative playlists. This is true freeform radio. DJs play what they want with a focus on local artist and events. This is radio for the community, by the community.
What’s in it for Businesses and Organizations?
Reach drive-time commuters and engage your community
- On-air events at your location
- On-air mentions of location and business / organization
- Co-branded events that mention your business / organization
- Co-branded merch designed by local artists
- Community building with music and events
- Local communications security – FM can’t be cut off like the internet or your cell phone
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82% of public radio listeners have taken action in response to a sponsorship message, such as visiting a website or making a purchase. Source
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40% are more likely to recommend a product or service after hearing about it on public radio. Source
- 88% of American adults tune in to the radio for an average of 12.2 hours each week or 104 minutes daily. Source
Most people listen while commuting.
One frequency for the I-80 corridor (95.7 FM)
1 frequency
3 antenna locations
3 synced community stations
Once the project is complete we’ll broadcast from Auburn to West Sacramento and all the communities along the way.
71% of small business owners report that their involvement in community activities is important to the success of their business. Source
How Does it work?
It’s like PBS for your community. Businesses and organizations sponsor the station as underwriters. In exchange for sponsorship, the station produces and airs underwriter “spots” or public service messages that mention the business, where it’s located, hours of operation, and what they offer the community. These are not commercials, we are not selling for you. We can’t mention sales or deals. These are very straightforward messages that adhere to FCC guidelines for nonprofit community radio.
But wait… there’s more!
It’s all about engaging the community with events. We can create a show that interviews local businesses and organizations. We can broadcast from your location and produce co-branded PSAs and programs. If you’re a music venue, let’s talk about live concerts on-air! We can go live from the venue or create a post-production show like, “The King Biscuit Flower Hour”. There’s a world of possibilities with community supported radio.
Underwriter Spot for Sac.Indie.Music
Sign Me Up!
Fill out the form or email John.Ellis @ kutzfm.org to schedule a Zoom or Meet to discuss the opportunity.
A Unique Opportunity
What makes this project special is the line-up of stations along the I-80 Corridor. Community owned stations are usually one-off and not connected to each other. Each station is a silo broadcasting to a single community area.
In this case, we have 3 stations on 1 frequency that cover a huge area from Auburn to West Sacramento along the I-80 corridor. This kind of lineup is rare, and has a great story behind it that’s connected to UC Davis. Get on the list to learn more.
This is an opportunity to reach drive-time commuters along I-80 and all the communities along the way. We already have the primary station up and running. The other two stations are repeaters that would sync the FM signal. That’s the range of 3 stations being managed by 1 system, 1 part-time paid GM, and a volunteer team. It’s a sweet deal for the community. We can always separate station programming if we grow.
Antenna 1
Warehouse Artist Lofts
- In process
- Fully funded
- Serves the Sac Metro Area
Antenna 2
4100 Folsom Blvd
- Have an engineer & estimate
- Needs funding
- Serves East Sac to Roseville
Antenna 3
In the Loomis area
- Needs a location
- Serves Rocklin to Auburn
What We Need to Make This Happen
Launching a community owned and supported radio station isn’t free, but it’s not as expensive as you might think. Costs vary based on many factors including the availbility of used or donated gear, engineering costs, building permits to mount the antenna, and station overhead like licensing and streaming.
The good news is, we have a team of seasoned professionals ready to make this happen. We have the station system, a vast music library, a streamlined process for management, and DJs ready to produce content. What we need is the support of the community, and one location in the Loomis area for an antenna. Here’s a breakdown of estimated costs and how they could be covered by the community.
Antennas and transmitters
Engineering and permits
Licensing / Streaming fees
$5,000 – $7,000 per location
$3000 per location
$2600 annual
Antennas and transmitters
$5k – $7k per location
Engineering and permits
$3000 per location
Licensing / streaming fees
$2600 annual
Initial Investment vs. Ongoing Costs
The startup cost for a community supported station may seem daunting, but it’s small compared to a commercial station and the ROI is unmatched compared to any digital ad spend. Underwriters are investing in the community.
When this sum is divided among the businesses, organizations, and listeners along the I-80 corridor, it’s an attainable goal. This could be sustained by 50 businesses / organizations donating $50 / month and 100 individual supporters donating $5 / month. Grants and other funding may also be available. Because the station license must be held by a non-profit, all donations are tax deductible, making this an even better opportunity for local community investment.
Get on the List!
Fill out the form or email john.ellis@kutzfm.org to learn more about this opportunity to build something amazing for our community.
Sign Me Up!
Fill out the form or email John.Ellis @ kutzfm.org to schedule a Zoom or Meet to discuss the opportunity.