How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Radio Station < POPULAR · EDITION >

$5,000 to prove his signal wouldn't bleed. Transfer Fees: A few thousand more to the government. The Physical Bones The station was a "fixer-upper." Arthur had to account for: The Tower: Renting space on a mast cost $1,500 a month . The Transmitter: A reliable unit was $20,000 .

A lone engineer and a sales rep to hunt for local ads. how much does it cost to buy a radio station

Buying the station was only the first battle. To stay on air, he needed: Transmitters are power-hungry beasts. Music Licensing: Paying ASCAP and BMI to play the hits. $5,000 to prove his signal wouldn't bleed

Arthur found a small AM station for sale in a sleepy town. The price tag was . He learned that in big cities, a powerful FM signal could cost $5 million or more. For Arthur, the small town was his starting line. The Legal Gatekeepers The FCC didn't give away licenses for free. Legal Fees: $10,000 for filings and compliance. The Transmitter: A reliable unit was $20,000