Astral Radio Sales
to Rep Pattison Stations In Kelowna

Broadcastermagazine.com
Tuesday September 2nd, 2008

Astral Media Radio Sales is pleased to announce that effective September 1st, 2008, we take on representation of The Pattison-owned radio stations in Kelowna, British Columbia. B103 (CKOV-FM) and Power 104 (CKLZ-FM) join our group of Astral-owned stations, 99.9 Sun FM (CHSUFM),101 SILK FM (CILK+) and AM 1150 (CKFR).

The representation agreement offers national radio buyers one stop shopping for a group of diverse formats that collectively cover the demographic spectrum. These stations deliver a significant portion of consumers in the beautiful Okanagan Valley.

Kelowna is one of the largest markets in British Columbia, with a population of 176,400, and per capita retail sales that are 13% above the national average. Based on the BBM S1-08 Survey, the five stations in this Astral Media Radio Sales group reach more than 120,300 listeners weekly and account for 73% market share in the Central Market.

http://www.broadcastermagazine.....f009448b&stpc=BM

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This can only be bad news for the programming of these stations.

I don't know much about how packages are sold, but does this mean when a national company buys a huge chunk of ads, it really doesn't matter what is on the air in Kelowna as long as it is 'something'?

The national company buys the package because he wants because he wants on as many stations as he can get his company.

He doesn't buy it because the morning show on Station A is well listened to with high quality announcers and brilliant programming.

It's like a Happy Meal.  The Astral Rep says, "Oh, and for an extra bit of $$$, we'll get you on the Pattison stations in Kelowna too."

Or, does it work differently?

Seems genius to me...Pattison and Astral as the established broadcasters in the market team up to make sure the new comers don't get any national buys...and with the Mann's reputation in Kelowna something tells me they could have trouble getting local buys.