Articles Index
The Fairness Doctrine: Free Speech and the Radio Marketplace
For about 26 years between 1949 until 1985, Radio adhered to a government policy called "The Fairness Doctrine". After it was eliminated, conservative talk radio made a stunning rise in popularity, led by Rush Limbaugh. Now, some critics are calling for The Fairness Doctrine to be brought back. There's nothing "fair" about this relic of regulation and let me tell you why. (Opinion)
Tales from the Studio
My day job is actually doing a morning radio show and it's been a while since I wrote an article with a really "inside" perspective. So, I decided to talk about callers. Callers to radio shows and radio stations fall into a very small minority. Even so, they can be a very bizarre and strange group. Let me share some of my thoughts on this and as usual with a piece like this, it's only my opinion.
Breaking Up With Satellite Radio
Up until recently, I was a big proponent of Satellite Radio. But, something has changed in me. I'm a little frustrated with the equipment, the procedures, the future merger, and even the programming. That's why I've considered cancelling my subscription. Read more.
Pushing Your Way Into Radio
I am often asked what is the best way to get into Radio? A speciality broadcast school? A 4-year college program? An internship? Do you have to know somebody? Well, there is a little secret - a sure fire way I've seen work for countless people over and over. I'd be happy to tell you what it is. Read more.
Radio Shows About Motorcycles Entertain And Inform
Love riding your motorcycle? Looking for a Radio program about bikes? Good news: there are several broadcasts online and if you can't hear the live feed, most of them are archived so you can listen at your convenience. Read more.
What Radio Might be Like 50 Years From Now
What will Radio be like 50 or more years from now? Technological advancements in nanotechnology and digital storage, transmission, and retrieval will completely redefine what Radio is. These will be radical changes - far fetched to some. (Opinion)
Radio, Where Art Thou? Why Radio has Become a Little Less Exciting
I've had a bit of writer's block lately and at first I thought it was me. But, now I realize the reason I haven't been very inspired to write about Radio is because Radio is in the doldrums. There's not much happening out there ever since the industry jettisoned some of its best talent. Read more.
Do They Make a Portable Satellite Radio Receiver That Gets Both XM and SIRIUS?
A visitor to the Radio site at About.com wants to know if there's a portable receiver that can get both XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Well, at the moment there's good news and bad news. Read more.
7 Reasons Radio People Die Younger
I think Radio might be bad for your health - at least if you work in it. Maybe you never noticed but I have: on-air Radio performers seem to die younger than they should. I've narrowed it down to 7 reasons why I think this business kills it's stars prematurely. Read more.
The State of Radio, Reprised: Another Conversation With Marconi and Armstrong
On February 18, 2005 I published a satirical and fictitious interview with two of Radio’s most prominent but dead founding fathers on the current state of the medium. Guglielmo Marconi invented the radiotelegraph and Edwin H. Armstrong invented FM. I felt it was time to again revisit with these two deceased inventors to hear their thoughts on the current state of Radio.
"Cousin Bruce Morrow" to Receive Pioneer Award by Broadcasters Foundation
Bruce Morrow has been selected to receive a 2008 Ward Quaal Pioneer Award by the Broadcasters Foundation of America. The award honors the achievements of individuals in the radio and television broadcast industry and Morrow will be presented with it this Wednesday, April 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read more.
Maybe Sales is Your Path to Success in Radio
The Radio industry is evolving and this growth into new media continues to offer more opportunities for creative sales people. If you are seeking a career that has unlimited opportunity, there probably has never been a better time to look seriously at Radio sales because there is more to sell than every before. Read more.
The Analog AM/FM Radio Tuner Still Has Fans - Thousands
Before MP3 players, HD Radios, iPods, Satellite Radio receivers, and cell phones that receive audio – there were only AM/FM tuners and receivers - and they have not been forgotten. One Yahoo! group regularly reviews and discusses all tuners that are analog. Read more.
Phoenix Wi-Fi Radio Connects Faster to Thousands of Internet Radio Stations
We love Internet radio but we hate being stuck at our computer when we want to listen. One of the newer solutions to this problem is the Phoenix Wi-Fi Radio from Com One. It brings thousands of radio stations from across the Internet into your home – without the need of a PC. Read more.
Former Radio Payola Crusader Governor Eliot Spitzer in Prostitution Scandal
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer - a crusader against payola in the radio and recording industries – is embroiled in a scandal involving a prostitution scandal. Today, he held a news conference to apologize to his family and the public. Read more.
Payola Admission: Gifts and Bribes Made to Radio Stations and Staff by Sony BMG
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced an agreement to halt pervasive "pay-for-play" in the music industry. Under the agreement, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT has agreed to stop making payments and providing expensive gifts to radio stations and their employees in return for "airplay" for the company's songs. Full Details.
Where Art Thou O Jazz Radio?
A site visitor to Radio.about.com wants to know why there are so few commercial jazz radio stations. He's afraid programmers won't go out on a limb. He's partially right - but it's not the programmers afraid to venture out. Read more.
What Makes BigOldiesChicago.com So Big? A 5000 Song Playlist
BigOldiesChicago.com is an Internet radio station which pulls its playlist from the very late 50's, 1960's and early 70's. It plays at least 20 in a row every hour and models itself on classic Top 40 giants like WLS, WCFL, KHJ, WABC and others. Oh yeah, and then there's the 5000 song playlist. Read more.
"An Inconvenient Book" by Glenn Beck
I just finished reading Glenn Beck’s An Inconvenient Book: Real Solutions to the World's Biggest Problems. It took me 3 months because my leisure reading is confined to the "private" time I spend in my bathroom each day. And, if you don’t mind that kind of direct honesty and candor, then you will very much enjoy Beck’s book.
Standing Up to the Typical "Glob" of Radio Programming
When you turn on your radio, whatever is there at the moment just spills out into your ears and continues to pour out until you turn it off. At least, that's how I think a lot of listeners view "radio programming" as a whole. Well, if you look at Radio under my microscope, you'll find there are smaller objects just waiting to be found. Read more.
The Radio Borg Assimilates New Technologies: "Resistance is Futile"
Remember the "Borg" from [i]Star Trek[/i]? A race of cyborgs who assimilated all other races it encountered? Radio is becoming a Borg, of sorts. Each time a new "atom of technology" attaches, Radio finds itself evolving into a "new audio molecule". Read more plus an interview with Eric Rhoads, publisher of [i]Radio Ink[/i], host for the upcoming "Convergence 08" conference for radio broadcasters.
Vietnam War Pirate DJ Dave Rabbit Has Finally Come Forward
The story of Pirate DJ, Dave Rabbit, has circulated for years with few facts to go on. Rabbit, in the Air Force during U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, started a pirate radio station that became short-lived but legendary. Not much could be verified - until now. Rabbit has emerged to tell his story in his own words.
Bob Grant's Real Award: The Support of His Radio Listeners
Longtime talk radio host, Bob Grant, was recently at the center of a controversy when a trade magazine first offered him a lifetime achievement award and then, suddenly withdrew it. Maybe this just proves that one medium's standing to make awards to another medium is at best, tenuous. Read more. (Opinion)
Radio Answers: Being On-the-Air, Hosting a Show, Starting an Online Station
I get questions all the time about being on-the-air (AM and FM) and being on Internet Radio. Although I answer writers personally, every once-in-a-while I like to present a compilation of information which will be beneficial to general readers. Here are questions and answers about being on-the-air, hosting a radio show, and starting your own Internet Radio station.
Will ubroadcast.com Become Internet Radio's YouTube?
ubroadcast.com has launched and promises to be mostly live programming that offers a high degree of broadcaster/listener interaction. If just creating playlists of music doesn't excite you but the thrill of live radio does, ubroadcast.com may be the portal perfect for the radio show you've always wanted to host. Find out more in this interview with John Castiglione, the President and Director.