Lack of radio listeners concerns station WKNH

Although most students are aware that it exists, 92 percent of students at Keene State College do not listen to the college radio station, WKNH according to a survey conducted last month by a journalism class. WKNH is a student-run radio station at KSC that has been in existence since 1971. The offices are located on the third floor of the Young Student Center, and the station is licensed to the Board of Trustees at the University System of New Hampshire.

Fifty students were randomly selected around campus to participate in the survey. They were asked if they were aware of the station's existence and whether or not they listened to it. They were also asked the reasons they did or did not listen to it. Most of the students said they just didn't know the station existed.

Sophomore Stacy Callahan said she doesn't listen to the station for a couple of reasons.

"I know that there is a radio station on campus, but I don't know what station it is. Also, I find it hard to tune into stations up here. I get frustrated and end up listening to my own CD's anyways," Callahan said.

That seemed to be the consensus of the 50 students polled. Many students said that if they knew what channel WKNH was on, they might listen to it.

Sophomore Katie Carmichael is one of the 8 percent of students that claim to have listened to WKNH.

"My roommate from last year got involved with the station and ended up getting her own show. I tuned in every so often to hear her, but other than that I do not listen to the station. In total, I've listened to it maybe two or three times," Carmichael said.

Forty percent of students polled said that they do not listen to the radio at all.

Sophomore Chelsea Turner said she rarely listens to the radio, so therefore she has never tuned into WKNH.

"When I am up at school, I really don't listen to the radio. I mostly just listen to my CD's unless I am in my car," said Turner.

Sophomore Matt Seitz said he does not listen to the radio station because he just "doesn't want to."

Some students felt that if WKNH had a more visible profile, more students would listen.

Students also said that radio is a relic from a bygone era.

"I think that one of the main reasons that students may not be listening to WKNH is because radio is not as popular as it used to be. I know from my own personal experience that I download my music and listen to them on my iPod as opposed to listening to the radio. Also, I think that students don't really use the radio portion of their stereos. I know that I bought my stereo system years ago for the use of its CD player," said Carmichael.

Patrick Burke, the general manager of WKNH, was not surprised to hear the results of the survey.

"WKNH has always known that people don't listen," said Burke. "Most listeners, if we have any, are local residents."

Burke relates most of the lack of listeners to the fact that the station does not play the most familiar songs to students.

"WKNH does not play the Top 40 songs on the radio. I think that might also be a reason as to why we don't have a lot of listeners. People like to listen to what is familiar," said Burke.

With the new MP3 players and the ability to burn their own CD's, students are looking to the most convenient and portable ways to get their music.

"Music is also taking a different turn," said Burke. "People are now relying most lyon their MP3 players to get most of their music and not the radio."

Burke explained that there is a need for new disc jockeys and the station is hoping to start advertising more.

"It's hard to advertise on campus. We can't put ads on media because we are media and that is out of the question and most students don't enjoy getting phone calls to their rooms," said Burke. "We are actually going to look towards the Equinox for some advertising in the near future."

Burke also explained that he hopes in a couple of years the station will attract more listeners and also that they can broadcast live for a full day, which has never been done up to this point.