Public Radio Capital is announcing the release of its analysis of the noncommercial radio sales trends. PRC has prepared this analysis since 2005 for internal distribution and to share with appraisal clients; it will now be available to the greater public media community.

Following are highlights from this year’s report:

• The number of noncommercial radio sales continues to grow; there were 116 licensed noncommercial sales in 2012, which set the record for the past 13 years analyzed.

• Despite the upward trend in the number of licensed noncommercial radio sales, total sales volume ($), excluding commercial band FM sales, has been down for the past three years.

• After a significant increase in 2010 and 2011, the number of construction permit (CP) sales was down.

• In line with the historical trends, the majority of noncommercial radio stations, including CPs, were acquired by “non-public” radio entities, representing 78% of all sales in 2012.

• In recent years there has been an increase in the number of educational institutions (colleges and universities) selling their broadcast asset.

The full report can be viewed here.

If you would like more information about PRC’s appraisal services or the sales trend report, please contact Evran Kavlak at ekavlak@publicradiocapital.org.

A review of radio transactions in the top 30 markets indicate that existing operators in eight markets  expanded services by acquiring new stations. PRC provided brokerage and consulting services for six* of these eight station acquisitions. In Seattle, KING FM switched from a commercial to a noncommercial classical format as well. The chart takes a snapshot of public radio’s audience share across the top 30 markets and highlights the audience growth for the following new 24/7 public radio services:

•    Seattle-Tacoma, WA: In 2011 KING 98.1 FM transitioned from a commercial to a noncommercial classical service.

•    Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN: In 2004 Minnesota Public Radio purchased KCMP 89.3 FM (prev. calls: WCAL) to provide a 24/7 Triple A service appealing to a younger audience.

•    Boston, MA: In 2009 WGBH purchased WCRB 99.5 FM* to provide a 24/7 classical music service.

•    San Francisco: In 2012 the University of Southern California purchased KDFC 89.9 FM, KOSC 90.3 FM, and KXSC 104.9 FM* to provide a 24/7 classical music service.

•    Denver-Boulder, CO: In 2012 Colorado Public Radio (CPR) purchased KVOD 88.1 FM (prev. calls: KFDN)* to provide full-time news and full-time classical service on two separate FM stations.

•    New York, NY: In 2009 New York Public Media purchased WQXR 105.9 FM to provide a 24/7 classical service.

•    Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX: In 2009 North Texas Public Broadcasting purchased KKXT 91.7 FM (prev. calls: KVTT)* to provide a 24/7 Triple A music service.

•    Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, FL: In 2008 American Public Media Group purchased WKCP 89.7 FM (prev. calls: WMCU)* to provide a 24/7 classical music service.

•    Houston-Galveston, TX: In 2011 the University of Houston purchased KUHA 91.7 FM (prev. calls: KTRU)* to provide a 24/7 classical music service.

*PRC provided brokerage /consulting services.

Markets are ordered by their rankings, defined by Arbitron based upon population size. Chart includes Arbitron PPM subscribers only.
Several factors such as demographics, station inventory and competition contribute to differences in audience share between the markets.

Public Radio Capital did extensive business modeling for St. Louis Public Radio and brokered its recent acquisition of Quincy University’s public radio station WQUB 90.3 FM in Quincy, Ill. This expansion preserves the station’s signature programming and renews support for civic events and local cultural programs, while also bringing additional programming, such as “Talk of the Nation” and “Marketplace,” to the people of Quincy.

St. Louis Public Radio reaches nearly 235,000 people each week in the bi-state area and has just been named a  2013 recipient of the Champion of the Arts Award from the Arts and Education Council- St. Louis.  St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU is a member-supported service of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.