Is Traditional Radio On The Way Out or In?

When TV was just getting established in the early fifties, many predicted that radio would rapidly loose audiences and become a footnote in mass media history.  While radio stations did begin to loose some listeners, the industry changed focus from offering long-form dramas and variety shows to music and news.  The stations also emphasized the portability of radio.

One of the most significant driving forces in preserving radio’s viability was the auto industry.  Radio was a perfect companion for the increasing number of commuters opting away from public transit to the personal automobile. In fact, many analysts point to Detroit as the savior of FM radio in the US. When FM and FM stereo radios became standard equipment in Detroit’s new lines, FM radio stations went from second class operations to cash cows.

Jumping ahead 50 years, we may be seeing that the savior of broadcast radio, i.e. the auto industry, may be its worst enemy.  Major changes in wireless internet technologies are making our cars as connected as our homes and offices have already become.

If you listen carefully to the most recent ads for new models from most all manufactures you will hear words like “Pandora enabled” or “Spotify-ready” touted as features as important as antilock brakes or leather heated seats.  The internet connectivity in cars provides a way to listen to most any music or program on demand regardless of geography.  Where traditional radio stations have an average coverage area of about a 60 mile radius, there are no restrictions if the programming is distributed via the internet.  So if a station in Cincinnati chooses to stream live on the internet, a driver on I-75 at the “cut-in-the-hill” can be listening along with someone stuck in traffic on the Santa Monica Expressway.

How this will change radio is still a question.  For sure it may change the advertising since the person stuck in LA will not be stopping by Skyline Chili at the next exit.   There will still be a need for local only information.  Reporting on weather, traffic, local politics and sports will still be needed. 

One other important aspect of over-the-air broadcast technology is the relatively simple technical infrastructure that enables stations to continue to operate in times of serious disaster.  A radio broadcaster needs only a single generator and transmitter to stay on the air.  The consumer needs only to turn a few knobs on the dashboard or use an inexpensive battery powered receiver to get programming.  Internet delivered radio programming, be it wired or wireless, relies on thousands of individual routers, fibers, wires, towers and computers to remain operational.  Often after storms or other calamity one or more of these critical systems fail bringing online to off line.

So is Radio on the way in or on the way out?  My advice is to stay tuned.

 

Is Traditional Radio On The Way Out or In?

When TV was just getting established in the early fifties, many predicted that radio would rapidly loose audiences and become a footnote in mass media history.  While radio stations did begin to loose some listeners, the industry changed focus from offering long-form dramas and variety shows to music and news.  The stations also emphasized the portability of radio.

One of the most significant driving forces in preserving radio’s viability was the auto industry.  Radio was a perfect companion for the increasing number of commuters opting away from public transit to the personal automobile. In fact, many analysts point to Detroit as the savior of FM radio in the US. When FM and FM stereo radios became standard equipment in Detroit’s new lines, FM radio stations went from second class operations to cash cows.

Jumping ahead 50 years, we may be seeing that the savior of broadcast radio, i.e. the auto industry, may be its worst enemy.  Major changes in wireless internet technologies are making our cars as connected as our homes and offices have already become.

If you listen carefully to the most recent ads for new models from most all manufactures you will hear words like “Pandora enabled” or “Spotify-ready” touted as features as important as antilock brakes or leather heated seats.  The internet connectivity in cars provides a way to listen to most any music or program on demand regardless of geography.  Where traditional radio stations have an average coverage area of about a 60 mile radius, there are no restrictions if the programming is distributed via the internet.  So if a station in Cincinnati chooses to stream live on the internet, a driver on I-75 at the “cut-in-the-hill” can be listening along with someone stuck in traffic on the Santa Monica Expressway.

How this will change radio is still a question.  For sure it may change the advertising since the person stuck in LA will not be stopping by Skyline Chili at the next exit.   There will still be a need for local only information.  Reporting on weather, traffic, local politics and sports will still be needed. 

One other important aspect of over-the-air broadcast technology is the relatively simple technical infrastructure that enables stations to continue to operate in times of serious disaster.  A radio broadcaster needs only a single generator and transmitter to stay on the air.  The consumer needs only to turn a few knobs on the dashboard or use an inexpensive battery powered receiver to get programming.  Internet delivered radio programming, be it wired or wireless, relies on thousands of individual routers, fibers, wires, towers and computers to remain operational.  Often after storms or other calamity one or more of these critical systems fail bringing online to off line.

So is Radio on the way in or on the way out?  My advice is to stay tuned.

 

Pandora, Music Lover's Dream Come True

Few aspects of modern life have been more affected by the digital revolution than the music industry. The way music is performed, recorded, edited and distributed, paid for and listened to all have been revolutionized. Personal collections of recorded music, once filling shelves in the family room, are now carried around in your pocket. Browsing through a “record store” looking for some hard to find treasure is now done on line and rather than waiting for the “record” or “CD” to be delivered, it is available instantly as a down load.

I recently was introduced to an online service that will be of special interest to those who like to explore various genres of music as well as those who have very specific musical tastes. The service is called Pandora.com, and just like its namesake this Pandora’s Box is brimming with surprises. Unlike the mythic box, the surprises are delightful.

When you sign on to Pandora using your computer or smart phone, you are asked to “create a new station.” This can be based on a genre of music like classical, country, rock, etc. or more specifically based on a single performer like Michael Jackson, James Taylor or Frank Sinatra. You can also specify a single composer like John Williams, John Denver or Johann Sebastian Bach.

Once you enter the information, Pandora will create a “station” just for you and begin playing music based on your preferences. The search technology is similar to the one used by Amazon.com; “If you liked this book you might be interested in this other book.”

The really neat thing about Pandora is that the selections made by Pandora can result in music you would have never sampled but when you hear it you really like it. If you hear a song that you don’t like, you click on it, and Pandora stops playing it and uses that information to learn more about your tastes and make more informed selections in the future. You can set up several “stations” so you can listen based on your mood. While reading a book perhaps some classical sections are best. Cutting the lawn or jogging, U-2 fits the bill.

Pandora comes in different flavors. You can use it free for 40 hours a month with a few commercials per hour. For a subscription of $39.00 a year you can get an upgraded version with no commercials and better audio fidelity and no limit on the number of hours you use it. All versions give you lots of information about the music, the performer and composer. You can even order the music online as a MP-3 download or follow a link to purchase a CD.

Pandora can be used on your desktop or laptop computer as well on most mobile devices. If you use it on a mobile device make sure you have an unlimited data plan or you will have a surprise the when you get your next bill from your carrier.

If you like music, I recommend trying Pandora. I have it playing in the background often when I am writing. In fact right now I am listening to Loggins & Messina.

Pandora, Music Lover's Dream Come True

Few aspects of modern life have been more affected by the digital revolution than the music industry. The way music is performed, recorded, edited and distributed, paid for and listened to all have been revolutionized. Personal collections of recorded music, once filling shelves in the family room, are now carried around in your pocket. Browsing through a “record store” looking for some hard to find treasure is now done on line and rather than waiting for the “record” or “CD” to be delivered, it is available instantly as a down load.

I recently was introduced to an online service that will be of special interest to those who like to explore various genres of music as well as those who have very specific musical tastes. The service is called Pandora.com, and just like its namesake this Pandora’s Box is brimming with surprises. Unlike the mythic box, the surprises are delightful.

When you sign on to Pandora using your computer or smart phone, you are asked to “create a new station.” This can be based on a genre of music like classical, country, rock, etc. or more specifically based on a single performer like Michael Jackson, James Taylor or Frank Sinatra. You can also specify a single composer like John Williams, John Denver or Johann Sebastian Bach.

Once you enter the information, Pandora will create a “station” just for you and begin playing music based on your preferences. The search technology is similar to the one used by Amazon.com; “If you liked this book you might be interested in this other book.”

The really neat thing about Pandora is that the selections made by Pandora can result in music you would have never sampled but when you hear it you really like it. If you hear a song that you don’t like, you click on it, and Pandora stops playing it and uses that information to learn more about your tastes and make more informed selections in the future. You can set up several “stations” so you can listen based on your mood. While reading a book perhaps some classical sections are best. Cutting the lawn or jogging, U-2 fits the bill.

Pandora comes in different flavors. You can use it free for 40 hours a month with a few commercials per hour. For a subscription of $39.00 a year you can get an upgraded version with no commercials and better audio fidelity and no limit on the number of hours you use it. All versions give you lots of information about the music, the performer and composer. You can even order the music online as a MP-3 download or follow a link to purchase a CD.

Pandora can be used on your desktop or laptop computer as well on most mobile devices. If you use it on a mobile device make sure you have an unlimited data plan or you will have a surprise the when you get your next bill from your carrier.

If you like music, I recommend trying Pandora. I have it playing in the background often when I am writing. In fact right now I am listening to Loggins & Messina.