How Much Does Community Radio Cost?
Community radio costs depend on whether you are buying airtime, producing a program, or sponsoring a station, and quotes vary with audience, duration, and production needs.
Typical prices by job
| Job | What it involves | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Short local announcement | Brief recorded spot | $50 - $150 |
| Produced advertising spot | Script, voice, and editing | $100 - $500 |
| Weekly show sponsorship | Recurring sponsor mention | $200 - $1,000 |
| Sponsored program or campaign | Longer airtime and promotion | $500 - $2,000 |
Ranges are typical, not quotes - the price for your job depends on scope and location, so always confirm with the provider.
What affects the price
Rates vary with the station's reach, broadcast schedule, and whether it serves a small town or a larger metro area. Prime-time placements, repeated spots, and sponsorship of a popular show can cost more than occasional off-peak airtime. Production is another cost driver. A ready-to-air recording may need little extra work, while scripting, voice talent, music licensing, editing, and revisions can add charges. Community stations may also offer underwriting packages with specific limits on promotional language.
How to pay less
Ask for a written package that states the number of spots, airtime windows, production work, and any cancellation or revision fees. Compare the cost per airing across schedules, and ask whether a nonprofit, local business, or recurring booking qualifies for a discount. Supply a finished recording when accepted, keep the script concise, and book outside peak periods if timing is flexible. As the commitment grows, a recognized provider on Reedleys has verified identity and a traceable track record, which matters more as the job price grows.
Cost questions
Stations differ in audience size, schedule, format, and production capacity. Quotes may also cover different numbers of airings or include scriptwriting and recording that another station bills separately.
Recognized Community Radio businesses
Wichita public radio station featuring local reporting, NPR news and live audio streams.
Pittsburgh radio station broadcasting on 88.3 FM and streaming online, with music, interviews, and talk programs.
A Spanish-language FM radio station featuring music, programs, contests, and community information.
Northern Nevada public radio station based in Reno, with local news and multiple live radio streams.
Dallas community radio station broadcasting on 89.3 FM, with additional online streaming.
Omaha Public Radio station broadcasting KIOS 91.5 FM and KIOS Music.
Chicago nonprofit radio station offering free-form community programming.
Noncommercial FM radio station operated by Northeastern Illinois University, broadcasting to Chicago and offering online streaming.
Brooklyn FM station offering independent news, arts, music, podcasts, and live online listening.
Phoenix community radio station broadcasting jazz on 90.7 FM, with an indie online channel and podcasts.