You’ve heard about zombie banks and some of you have an affinity for movies about zombies, but have you noticed the zombie radio stations right in front of our ears?  In talking with a group owner recently, he estimated that 40 of the top 50 group owners are either in receivership/bankruptcy/default or on the doorstep of officially being declared bankrupt.  That means about half of U.S. radio stations are in some form of financial default. 

Whether it’s an owner who can’t service their debt or a bank struggling to break even after taking ownership, the tactic is to strip nearly all expenses and consider burning the furniture to save on the heating bills.  The result is a 2 or 3 person programming staff operating on hard drive (automation won).

This mechanical programming (zombie radio station) may satisfy the roughly half of listeners who view radio as nothing more than a utility.  However, for the other half—and for those who got involved with radio because it was a passion—these radio stations seem to be transmitting glassy-eyed, predictable programming.

For those of us in the radio industry, the bankruptcy reality means that we don’t have a market in which to practice our trade.  Whether this leaves a void for innovative, engaging programming that audiences latch on to is yet to be seen.  We’ve seen some innovation in Public Radio.  When you turn on commercial radio, zombies waft out of the speakers.  The economic realities may drive a stake through the heart of many of these stations…watch for many to simply go off the air. 

Since economic prosperity as well as hardship tends to run in cycles, we look forward to the day things rebound.  The big question is what will be left?  How well will radio programming bounce back?  Will creativity, excitement, localization, and uniqueness once again be evident on air?  These elements combined are the silver bullet that can kill zombie radio.  All we need now are brave operators to fire the shot.