Radio Opinion Pieces and Analysis Articles by Corey Deitz
The Incredible Shrinking Radio Station
I was in the hallway after my morning show this morning talking to the Program Director. The conversation rambled along from one thing to another. Then he remarked, "Well, there are just six of us here during the day. There used to be 50." I survived the myriad of job losses around me over the past few years but it was so stark and noticeable...
Radio: One of America's Great Love Affairs
One of the great love affairs of all time is the relationship we have with Radio. It's a companion, an advisor, an entertainer, and more. It is always there for anyone who needs a companion or is lonely. It is there for the infirmed and even those in peril. Radio has many roles and in return, only asks a little of your time. Read more. (Opinion)
Deejays Don't Kill People, Random Variables Do
Remember the two Australian deejays who got caught up in a controversy after making a prank call to the British hospital where Kate Middleton was staying? The nurse who put the call through committed suicide a couple of days later after the story went viral. Now, the Crown Prosecution Service says it won't pursue manslaughter charges against the radio performers. I was actually surprised it was even being considered. Read more.
Rules and Laws About Politics and Radio Ads
As we move into the political season, you'll be hearing more and more campaign ads on the radio. You may not know this but the law requires radio stations to treat candidates in a certain way - and the law works on behalf of candidates as well. Read more.
Getting Fired: A Radio Host's Final Message
This was another tough week in Radio with many people losing their jobs in various companies. Often, when you're an air-personality, you don't get to do a final show. I missed the bullet this week, but one day it will be my turn. I thought while I can I would take time to tell listeners a few things they should know.
The State of the Radio Address: 2011
As we begin the second decade of the 2000s we are living in a world which lazily calls a lot of things "Radio" because new methodologies of content transmission resemble Radio. Purists may wince but the general public is not terribly bothered by this transgression because what the people want is the end result. They care very little how the...
8 Things that Are Good and Bad About Radio
I hate looking at the glass as half-full and do what I can to fight off pessimism. That's why when I began thinking of an article about how radio has changed in the past ten years or so I decided it would be best to list not only negatives but, positives as well. Your list of eight things might be similar or completely different. After all, it's just my opinion. Read more.
Will Radio Survive Competition of Digital Tech?
A friend asked me today if I thought commercial radio would survive in the future. What he really meant was did I think old school, clunky, traditional, over-the-air AM and FM would survive. I said "Yes." Here's why.
What Steve Jobs Can Teach Us About Radio
I was never much of a fan of Apple products or follower of Steve Jobs until I read Walter Isaacson's biography of the late tech guru. Radio could learn a lot from Steve Jobs who believed in ease, simplicity, and elegance in order to make the user experience the best it could be. Read more.
The Don Imus Issue: Offensiveness is a Personal Perception
Don Imus has made a career out of being a satiric, acerbic, and politically incorrect entertainer. But, last week he ignited a firestorm after referring to the Rutgers women basketball team as "nappy-headed hos". Now, many are calling for him to be fired for making racist remarks. Has a line been crossed - or is it all a matter of opinion?
Webcasters Can Survive by Becoming King of Their Content
The Copyright Royalty Board recently announced new proposed rates for music streaming which will in effective, put many small webcasters and Internet radio station owners out of business. But, there is something these broadcasters can do to survive this obstacle - and it has to do with realizing that not all content is created equally. Read more. (Opinion)
Down the Rabbit Hole: Welcome to Radio Backwards Land
In the wake of Howard Stern's departure to Satellite Radio, CBS Radio has made a series of bad decisions in its effort to replace Stern's star power and the income his program generated. Desperate people do desperate things - and so far it's as if we fell down a rabbit hole and wound up in a place where nothing makes much sense. Read my thoughts...(Opinion)
The "Howard Stern - Infinity Broadcasting" Divorce Gets Uglier - and Stupider
Howard Stern was suspended from his radio show Tuesday of this week because his employer, Infinity Broadcasting, tired of him promoting his next job at SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Can't these guys just get along? (Commentary)
Will Howard Stern Be as Interesting Without the F.C.C.?
When Howard Stern moves to SIRIUS Satellite Radio on January 1, 2006, he won't have F.C.C. breathing down his neck anymore. Is this really a blessing or is there something about their rocky relationship which has contributed to his success? Read more.
Radio’s Dirty Little Promotion Secret
With the increased competition to AM and FM radio stations from new media like Satellite Radio, Webcasting, Podcasting, and more...traditional radio could sucker punch itself right back into more relevancy by redisoverying a basic principle of our business. Read more. (Opinion)
Radio Stations Don't Care About Listeners - Only Demographics
You devote yourself to a radio station, support its advertisers, go to its promotions and what happens? One day it just changes format without warning and you're wondering why? That's because you're not a listeners - you're a demographic. Sometimes, the wrong demographic. Read more. (Opinion)
President Bush: Fire the F.C.C. - And Here's Why
Now that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell has announced his resignation, it's time to fire the rest of the Commission - and here's why. Read more. (Opinion)
Radio Stations: How Come They Don’t Play My Request?
Doesn't it seem like you can almost never get your request played on the radio? Well, it's not you - it's them. Radio stations base their playlists on research and other factors. Read more.
How Can Every Station in Town Claim They’re #1? - What Do Ratings Mean and How Is Listenership Measured?
A visitor to the Radio site at About.com wants to know how several radio stations in the same town can all claim to be "#1"? Well, it's sort of a numbers game and they all CAN be #1 - depending on how much you "slice up the pie" of listeners. Read the full explanation.
The Music You Enjoy On Your Favorite Radio Station Is Not Free
A visitor to the About.com Radio site wants to know "How do radio stations get the ability to broadcast music for free...and secondly, why is this so different from broadcasting files on the internet?" Well, it's not really free - and even Webcasters pay. Read Why.
Radio Ain’t What It Used To Be
What we used to think "radio" was is changing. Between Internet streaming audio, satellite channels, and downloadable radio programs for iPods and other audio devices, the old AMs and FMs ain't what they used to be - and never will be what they were again. Read more.
From Wolfman To Mancow
The recent anniversary of Wolfman Jack's birthday inspired a look back on Radio 40 years ago and Radio today. Some things have changed and some things are pleasantly the same.
Satellite Radio: The New Holy Land For Persecuted DJs?
The shoe has finally dropped. Yesterday, XM Satellite Radio announced that the long-silent and fomerly syndicated "bad boy" duo of Opie & Anthony have come aboard. Read more
How Come A Great Radio Company Can't Resurrect A Formerly Great Radio
After Infinity Broadcasting ditched Opie & Anthony (the only thing WNEW-FM had going for it) the programming Gurus came up with an expensive experiment called Blink 102.7. So far, it would appear to be a massive and expensive failure. Why can't this great Radio company fix this legendary Radio property?
Radio Is The Fountain Of Youth
Radio Is The Fountain Of Youth</a></b> Men have searched for the Fountain of Youth for centuries. Would it surprise you if I suggested it exists within your Radio? Read more.
More Nails in the Consolidation Coffin
Since 1996, deregulation and consolidation in the Radio industry has brought fewer and fewer choices to listeners. Now, there are even fewer jobs for radio people.