RE: local channel airtime costs
It really runs a very wide range. Anywhere from free to several thousands per 1/2 hour! I think there is a requirement for all cable companies to have a free public access channel. There a re rules to advertising, but the airtime is free. Also, most cable cmapnies have their own channels that are relatively cheap with airtime. I think the viewing audience in one of our markets is 180,000 and we paid $50 per slot for sun morn. Time plays a big role. Prime time will cost alot more than 2 am. I'm averaging $200 per 1/2hour and my times run from 5am on sun morn, 11 am sat morn, 10 pm sun night, 6 pm sat eve. Remember that the viewing audience, time and network plays a big role! If oyu'r in a city with 200,000 people and 5 cable companies and the company you go with only has 20,000 customers, well yuo're audience is small so the cost will be less.