Radio Airplay 101 - Radio Cost Sheet

Below are several example levels of the costs of taking a project to radio. Real costs vary greatly depending on genre (one genre can be 10 times more than another,) and these costs assume you already have manufactured at least 1000 CDs. If you require vinyl, costs will be more. (Note: These are not our costs; these are typical costs that you can use to show investors.)

Level 1 (grass roots)

Independent promoter for non-commercial radio: $3000
Postage: $500
Mailers: $100
------------------------------------------------------
Total: $3600

Level 2 (grass roots)

Independent promoter for non-commercial radio: $4000
Independent promoter for specialty/mixshow: $4000
Single (or promo-only EP) just for radio: $2000
Postage: $1000
Mailers: $100
-----------------------------------------------------
Total: $11,100

Level 3 (small label)

Independent promoter for non-commercial radio: $8000
Independent promoter for specialty/mixshow: $4000
Ads in radio trade papers: $2000
Single (or promo-only EP) just for radio: $2000
Postage: $1000
Mailers: $100
-----------------------------------------------------
Total: $17,100

Level 4 (small-medium label)

Independent promoter for non-commercial radio: $8000
Independent promoter for specialty/mixshow: $4000
Independent promoter for
small-market commercial regular rotation: $10000
Ads in radio trade papers: $5000
Single (or promo-only EP) just for radio: $2500
Postage: $1200
Mailers: $150
-----------------------------------------------------
Total: $31,200

Level 5 (small-medium label)

Independent promoter for non-commercial radio: $8000
Independent promoter for specialty/mixshow: $15000
Two independent promoters for
small-market commercial regular rotation: $20000
Ads in radio trade papers: $10000
Single (or promo-only EP) just for radio: $2500
Postage: $1200
Mailers: $150
-----------------------------------------------------
Total: $57,200

Level 6 (medium label)

Independent promoter for non-commercial radio: $8000
Independent promoter for specialty/mixshow: $30000
Five independent promoters for small and
medium-market commercial regular rotation: $70000
Ads in radio trade papers: $20000
Single (or promo-only EP) just for radio: $2500
Postage: $1200
Mailers: $150
Quarterback to run campaign: $10000
Consultants: $5000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total: $147,200

Level 7 (medium and major label)

Independent promoter for non-commercial radio: $8000
Independent promoter for specialty/mixshow: $30000
Eight independent promoters for small and
medium-market commercial regular rotation: $150000
Ads in radio trade papers: $40000
Promo item: $10000
Single (or promo-only EP) just for radio: $2500
CD Postage: $1200
Promo Item Postage: $2500
Mailers: $150
Quarterback to run campaign: $10000
On-air ads: $20000
Consultants: $10000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total: $284,700

Level 8 (major label)

Independent promoter for non-commercial radio: $8000
Independent promoter for specialty/mixshow: $30000
Fifteen independent promoters for small,
medium, and major-market commercial
regular rotation: $250000
Ads in radio trade papers: $50000
Promo item: $10000
Single (or promo-only EP) just for radio: $2500
CD Postage: $1200
Promo Item Postage: $2500
Mailers: $150
Quarterback to run campaign: $20000
On-air ads: $50000
Consultants: $50000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total: $474,350

Next topic: Reporting VS Charting

Click here for a list of all articles...

Contact
For a complete description of our airplay campaigns, including pricing, send an email to airplay@radio-media.com