Underwriting

About Underwriting Your Community Radio Station

Thanks for your interest in underwriting Community Radio WMTG. Our station is non-commercial, which makes us different from some other stations that may solicit your business. The information here is designed to help you get acquainted with WMTG and to show how you or your business and our radio station can both benefit from an underwriting relationship. Please take your time and read the information in this document, then feel free to direct any questions to station manager Johnny Almond at 1-855-881-WMTG (9684), or by email at johnny@mgcca.com.

WMTG’s STATION PROFILE
WMTG is Montgomery County’s first and only Low Power FM (LPFM) Radio Station, serving Mount Gilead and surrounding area at 88.1 FM, and available anywhere online at http://www.wmtg.org and through the TuneIn mobile app for Android, iPhone, Blackberry and other devices.

OUR GOALS
WMTG is a non-commercial radio station. We have three main objectives:

Serve Montgomery County with high-quality programming that is entertaining and educational.
Serve the region with information that the residents can use in their daily lives and that stimulates positive interaction between the local residents and the surrounding community.
Educate interested community members in the field of broadcasting who wish to volunteer their services at WMTG.

OUR COVERAGE AREA
Depending upon local terrain, WMTG has a primary coverage area of five and a secondary coverage area of 10 miles from its point of origin at the intersection of Highways 73 and 109 in Mount Gilead. We can also be heard anywhere via the internet, with an online player at http://www.wmtg.org, and through the TuneIn mobile app for Android, iPhone, Blackberry and other devices.

OUR PROGRAMMING
WMTG provides an eclectic mix of music and information unavailable on commercial radio. We are proud to be a source of popular, seldom-played music from the 1950s through 1990s, and we offer a variety of current adult contemporary music, too.

WHAT IS UNDERWRITING?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allows businesses to underwrite or fund programs on stations like WMTG, but it does not allow commercial advertising. WMTG depends on underwriting donations from businesses and individuals to defray operating costs, as well as equipment purchases and repairs. Unlike many other non-commercial stations, WMTG does not receive any funding from the government. Underwriting is similar to commercial advertising, but differs in a few very important areas:

The FCC forbids announcements that issue a CALL TO ACTION. This means that statements like “stop in, shop here, call, call now, limited time only, mention WMTG”, etc. are not allowed.
Underwriter announcements also may not contain QUALITATIVE WORDS. Qualitative words such as “largest selection”, “newest model”, “best in town”, “finest selection” and “state of the art” are prohibited
Finally, announcements may not mention or give reference to PRICES. References such as “free”, “sale”, “discount”, “clearance”, “reduced”, “going out of business sale” and “liquidation” are also prohibited by the FCC.

Underwriting announcements on WMTG are required to follow all FCC regulations.

Our Enhanced Underwriting Announcements:

identify, but do not promote
do not call to action
use value-neutral language
do not mention prices
can be produced in 10 to 30-second pre-recorded announcements

Enhanced Underwriting Announcements on WMTG are recorded by WMTG’s production staff. Underwriter announcements that are not recorded by WMTG are not accepted.

Announcements may include information which identifies, but does not promote, the underwriter including:

the name of the underwriter
the underwriter’s products and/or services
the underwriter’s corporate slogan (as long as it is not a promotional statement, like “Get Met, It Pays”)
the location of the underwriter’s business
the underwriter’s telephone number
the underwriter’s web address

Enhanced Underwriting Announcements on WMTG may not:

be a commercial
include a call to action
use qualitative language
mention any prices
endorse a product or service

(Some examples of announcement texts are included at the end for your reference.)

Why your business should underwrite WMTG…
Your support of non-commercial radio is vital to maintaining the quality of programming and services you and other listeners in Mount Gilead area have come to expect from Community Radio WMTG.

How can underwriting benefit your business?
While underwriting is not commercial advertising, it can provide your firm with some of the same benefits, plus some that commercial advertising can’t offer. Research indicates that Low Power radio is an excellent public relations tool. Listeners have a positive image of companies that support Low Power radio and report their purchasing decisions are influenced by such underwriting support.

Reach our diverse audience…
Because of the wide variety of programming done on WMTG, the listeners are a diversified group of people who share many common interests and lifestyles. WMTG provides programs that appeal to groups that are often ignored by the commercial stations.

Demonstrate your community concern…
Your support of WMTG shows you are interested in contributing to the quality of life in Montgomery County and surrounding communities.

Expand awareness of your name and presence…
Awareness of your business is expanded each time you are mentioned on WMTG. With our diverse program offerings, you will be able to reach more types of listeners than any single format station!

Enhance your business image…
Your image is enhanced by your association with non-commercial local radio. You will be joining other fine businesses that support our quality radio programming.

You can advertise your association with WMTG, Montgomery County’s first and only Low Power FM Radio Station, in other media (newspapers, Internet, etc.) Advertising that your business is the sponsor of one of the many popular programs on WMTG, or a station event, is an excellent way to increase the public’s awareness of your business. It is a strong statement about your company’s contribution to our community’s well being.

UNDERWRITING PLANS AT WMTG

WMTG has four levels of underwriting or support:

SPONSORS are those individual listeners who wish to help us with their donations. This rate is only $10.00 per month and is not available to businesses. If the supporter pays a year in advance, the total price is $100.00 (a savings of $20.00).
UNDERWRITERS are individuals, organizations and other entities who donate $60.00 per month or $660.00 per year if paid in advance. (This is a savings of $60.00).
The LOCAL UPDATE UNDERWRITER donates $50.00 per week to support our local information updates about 12 times each weekday. There is no discount for extended sponsorship.
DONORS are contributors who wish to donate an amount that does not fall into the three other categories or contributors who donate any amount to WMTG and wish to remain anonymous.

The sponsorship or underwriter message will play a minimum of 3 times per day during the contracted period, and sponsorship of special station events can be arranged. Sponsorships and underwriting payments are not refundable. Availability and details of plans are subject to change without notice.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about underwriting opportunities available at WMTG. Any donation amount is appreciated. If the plans here don’t suit your situation, let us know and we will work with you to develop a plan that works. If you wish to be an anonymous donor, let us know, and we will not air your name or business name on the air.

All WMTG underwriters who receive on-air recognition also receive a link to their website in a special section of our site at http://www.wmtg.org. Please contact us for complete sponsorship details.

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The following are examples of permitted and prohibited underwriting announcements for your reference:

PROHIBITED ANNOUNCEMENT: “Portions of the broadcast day on WMTG is underwritten by Quik Lube, where you can now get a 10-point oil change and lube for the unbelievably low price of just $12.99. So come on down to 1234 West Main Street for fast, reliable service and a free gift.”

PERMITTED ANNOUNCEMENT: “Programming on WMTG is made possible in part by Quik Lube, located at 1234 West Main Street in Mount Gilead. Quik Lube provides oil changes using Pennzoil lubricants, tune-ups, and other minor vehicle maintenance services. Our thanks to Quik Lube of Mount Gilead. 910-555-6565.”

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?: The first text mentions price and contains two calls to action. It contains statements which include qualitative statements. The second text identifes the sponsor, the sponsor’s address, telephone number, product line, and establishes a relationship to the program. The second text is also permitted by the FCC.