A student-run online radio station launched last year is on a bumpy path to gaining listeners and programming.
CUSA Live, launched and funded by the current executive team of the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA), now live streams council meetings and hosts two radio shows, apart from playing pop music.
CUSA Live has had about 550 mobile app downloads so far, facilitator Luke Smith said. It has five volunteers, with Smith as a paid staff member.
“One of the big problems we are facing is how to get students aware of it,” he said.
“We had a poster campaign, but that wasn’t very successful,” Smith said. The viewing rate of council meetings currently available on its website range from seven to 90 views.
Smith said he created an e-newsletter to send updates. He said he plans to make CUSA Live more public by setting up tables at the atrium and on residence.
In terms of content, Smith said CUSA Live will be looking for students to host a show beginning in March.
Now is a good time to pitch show ideas to CUSA Live, CUSA journalism councillor Matthew Couto said.
“At this point, CUSA Live is looking to try to fill up with content. It’s trying to get enough air time, and build its base,” Couto said.
Couto was a host for Carleton Weekly, a CUSA Live show about campus politics and events. After the first show, Couto resigned.
He said the content of the show didn’t go along with his journalistic intentions.
CUSA Live was expected to cost CUSA $30,000, and was expected to generate revenue by selling ad space, making $46,000.
Smith said he didn’t have the numbers on CUSA Live’s revenues yet. He is preparing a comprehensive report that reviews how CUSA Live has performed since it launched last September. Whether the report will be public depends on CUSA executives, he said.
Smith said he will complete the report by the first or second week of February.
