In the south, where the economy is weaker and consumer spending lower, television and radio stations find it more difficult to find advertisers and rates are considerably lower. The situation is perhaps worst in Naryn and Issyk-Kul Oblasts, where the economy is most depressed and air time, when it can be sold at all, goes for ridiculously low rates. Some examples will illustrate the wide disparity in economic opportunity for stations. Asman, which pirates most of its programming, even less. Still, these bargain rates are outside the price range of most southern advertisers.
Radio is, of course, even cheaper.
With advertising rates and volume so low, it is easy to see why the smaller stations are reluctant to invest in new facilities or equipment, hire experienced staff and pay them well, or put money into an expensive venture such as a newscast. Often, it does not, and station staff, especially in the south, may work for months without pay. Most stations in the south also rent their equipment and staff to tape weddings, parties and other events, but revenue from these other sources is limited. Advertising volume and rates will rise only as the economy improves, consumer confidence returns and spending increases. However, stations could be making more efforts to attract advertisers and to convince them of the comparative advantages of radio and television over other media.