Tradio

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Tradio is the name given to a variety of programs heard on small radio stations, usually on the AM dial, where listeners call in to buy or sell items. The name "tradio" is a portmanteau of "trade" and "radio." The concept of tradio is analogous to classified ads in local newspapers.

The format is also often called Swap Shop, Buy Sell or Trade or Trading Post.

[edit] Format

Most tradio programs follow a similar format to each other. Callers are given a studio line in which they can call in and advertise, for free, a limited number of items for sale, or request an item to purchase from another listener. The caller then gives a phone number so that other listeners can contact the person for further information. With the rise of e-mail and other electronic media, most stations permit the sending in of items to sell via e-mail or fax.

There are usually some limits to what can be bought and sold through tradio programs. Most stations stipulate that only individuals, and no businesses, may use the tradio service, since the financial security of these small stations usually relies on the advertising dollars from these businesses. Federal regulations prohibit the sale of firearms through these services; real estate is also usually not allowed on tradio programs. Restrictions on the sale of automobiles varies from station to station.

The name "tradio" does not apply to any one particular program and there are no national or syndicated tradio programs. It is technically not a franchised format, either, because the format and name is not copyrighted or trademarked.

Typically tradio and similar programs are only heard on small, rural stations; KDKA (AM) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are the largest markets with a tradio program, and they air weekly on Saturdays. In smaller markets, tradio programs can air daily. The largest market with a daily tradio program is Buffalo, New York, where a version airs on WECK/WLVL.