Pop-Up Radio Station Break-Even Analysis: Break-Even In Month 25

Fixed costs $5.5K/mo Launch overhead

Contribution margin 81% After variable spend

Break-even revenue $6.8K/mo Fixed-cost cover

Break-even timing Month 25 Model payback

Break-even calculator

Test whether monthly revenue can cover variable expenses and fixed costs for a pop-up radio station.

Lean Base Full

Monthly revenue Revenue is the pool that covers direct costs and fixed overhead. $ Lower run rate Higher run rate Variable expenses Use direct costs that rise with each event, sale, and slot. $ Tighter costs Higher costs

Money available to cover fixed costs $69,305 $83,000 revenue - $13,695 variable expenses

Margin ratio

84%

Covers fixed costs

Yes

Fixed monthly costs Use the monthly cost base the margin has to cover. $ Lean base Heavier base

Break-even chart Revenue Total costs

Which temporary event broadcast expenses are fixed, and which move with sales?

Cost classification

Break-even only works when recurring overhead stays separate from event-level spend. In the first year, fixed overhead is $5,500 per month before salaries, while licensing, permits, travel, and commissions move with revenue.

Expense	Cost	Break-Even Treatment	Common Mistake
Recurring office overhead	Fixed	Model rent, insurance, software, maintenance fund, professional services, utilities, and supplies as $5,500 per month from Month 1 through Month 60.	Spreading fixed overhead across each event and making low-volume break-even look safer than it is.
Music Licensing Fees	Variable	Apply 3.0% of revenue in the first year, tapering to 2.5% by the mature year.	Treating percentage-based licensing as rent-like overhead.
Event Specific Permits	Variable	Apply 2.0% of revenue in the first year, tapering to 1.5% by the mature year.	Classing permits as fixed even though they follow event activity.
Event Travel Logistics	Variable	Apply 8.0% of revenue in the first year, tapering to 6.0% by the mature year.	Using one flat monthly travel budget when booked events change.
Marketing Sales Commission	Variable	Apply 6.0% of revenue in the first year, tapering to 4.0% by the mature year.	Treating commissions as fixed payroll instead of sales-linked spend.
Core broadcast salaries	Semi-fixed	Model base headcount first, then add Sales Manager and Logistics Coordinator in Month 13 and Junior Broadcast Engineer from Month 25.	Dividing full-year hires evenly into early months before they start.
Mobile studio and broadcast capacity	Semi-fixed	Keep launch buildout out of operating break-even; add recurring capacity only when the model adds another operating unit.	Booking the $330,000 launch buildout as monthly operating spend.

How does break-even shift from a lean launch to a full pop-up radio station?

Scenario table

Lean starts with a loss, base nearly closes the gap, and full scale turns operating profit positive. The fixed payroll base is heavy, so break-even depends on selling more packages and keeping variable spend in line.

These scenario figures are planning assumptions, not guarantees.

Scenario	Monthly Revenue	Variable Costs	Fixed Costs	CM Ratio	Operating Profit	Break-Even Signal
Lean launch	$27.3k	$8.4k	$26.3k	69.2%	-$7.4k	Still far below break-even; the first-year mix does not cover payroll.
Base sponsorship	$51.4k	$15.2k	$37.6k	70.5%	-$1.3k	Still slightly negative, but close enough that a small sales lift can flip it.
Full event broadcast	$83.0k	$21.5k	$39.9k	74.1%	$21.7k	Profit turns positive and the break-even signal improves sharply at Month 25.

What breaks the break-even plan for a pop-up radio station?

Stress test

The plan is most exposed to softer sponsor sales and cost creep. With a $466,000 minimum cash need and the Month 24 low point, even small misses widen the loss fast.

Stress Case	Changed Assumption	Break-Even Revenue	Revenue Gap	Risk Signal
Current plan	No change in Year 1 revenue, fixed costs, or margin.	$390,000	$62,000 gap	Year 1 still misses break-even.
Revenue shortfall	Year 1 revenue falls 10% to $295,200.	$390,000	$95,000 gap	Sponsor softness widens the loss fast.
Fixed-cost pressure	Fixed costs and payroll rise 10% to about $347,600.	$429,000	$101,000 gap	Overhead creep pushes the breakeven line higher.
Margin pressure	Variable expenses rise 5 points, cutting contribution margin to 76%.	$416,000	$88,000 gap	Travel, commission, and permit overruns eat margin.
Combined pressure	Year 1 revenue falls 10%, fixed costs rise 10%, and margin slips to 76%.	$457,000	$162,000 gap	This mix can push Year 1 EBITDA near -$162,000.

What should you verify before you lock the first event date and commit to broadcast gear?

Founder checklist

Don't lock the first event or buy the main gear until you have signed event packages, sponsor commitments, and enough cash to reach Month 24. The model turns breakeven in Month 25, so pre-sales have to carry the ramp.

1Event pre-sell12 packages

Do not ramp fixed spend until the 12 Year 1 event broadcast packages are signed, because those deals are the base demand that supports the whole model.

2Sales mix50 slots

Check 20 sponsorship package sales plus 30 live endorsement slots so the revenue mix can support the staffing and travel load.

3Margin check81% CM

Keep music licensing near 30% of Year 1 revenue, about $98.4K, and protect the 81% contribution margin after permits, travel, and sales commission.

4Site readinessMonth 4-8

Verify Federal Communications Commission permissions, venue access, power, antenna placement, backup connectivity, and event insurance before you sign dates.

5Talent cover3 core FTE

Lock the CEO Founder, Lead Broadcast Engineer, and On-Air Talent Coordinator before launch, and only add the Sales Manager and Logistics Coordinator in Month 13 if booked work supports them.

6Cash floor$466K

Keep capex staged at $150K for the mobile studio vehicle, $80K for core broadcast equipment, and $40K for transmission gear, and protect the $466K minimum cash floor through Month 24.