Radio Broadcasting Strength / Number of Listeners?

Question

Well, I know that certain factors effect signal strength of electromagnetic waves, and in the cell phone industry, the number of listeners is a BIG deal (which is as it should be, since you have private two way communication). However, with normal AM/FM broadcasting, how does a station know what power level to broadcast at? Do the number of listeners put a big effect on signal quality? If so, how does a station go about esitmating the number of users?

Answer 1

An AM or FM broadcast station is required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to have a license to broadcast. The license specifies the number of watts  the station transmitter is allowed to broadcast.

Signal quality is also specified by the FCC.  Annual "Proof of Performance" test  on station broadcast equipment are required by the FCC.

All FCC regulations must be adhered to regardless of the number of listeners or viewers.

The number of listeners or viewers a station has is estimated relatively accurate by surveys. I think they estimate the percentage they have of all viewers or listeners in their broadcast area rather than a actual number. By doing this they can tell how they stack up against their competitors. The Station`s income is from commercial spots inserted periodically during the broadcast. The more listeners or viewers a station has the higher the price the station can expect to get for a commercial spot.

Answer 2

number of listeners is totally irrelevant!

A million listeners or one, it makes no difference.

They broadcast at the highest power they are allowed by the FCC.

They determine the number of listeners by surveys.

You have some strange ideas about broadcast radio (and TV). The key word is broadcast. The station sends the signal out to the area. If a radio is tuned to it, it picks it up. If not, it doesn't.

You might as well ask if the brightness of a light bulb is determined by the number of eyes that can see it.

Answer 3

AM/FM or any other on the air station just transmit signals. receivers don't send any thing back to tell the transmitter about receiving. If you listen to satellite radio that is a different story. Satelite stations might track their listeners in order to make sure valid listeners (whose accounts are up to date) listening. Most stations just do surveys or calls they receive during the certain program to estimate the listeners.

If you don't like certain program don't call them, because that is how they get their rating higher.