Here is a station in a major market. It features a morning show from Chicago; a drive-time show from Nashville. There are no local shows. This, in the very short term, is a compelling option for some broadcasters today. With such low overhead (i.e., no “talent.”) it may even be throwing off some cash with a modest amount of local advertising.

Some stations are genuine entertainment sources, others merely provide “services.” This particular station provides a service of convenience—rebroadcasting some national shows into the market—but that service is no longer unique in a world where “repeaters” are irrelevant. IP is the new FM. Very, very soon, every iota of programming on this station will be available everywhere, either live or on demand, from sources other than this particular station, wherever mainstream Americans want to hear it.

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