Free Speech Radio News asks supporters to “keep the flame burning”
Producing a daily, grassroots and nonprofit with an international scope is not an easy business. Free Speech Radio News has been pulling it off for more than a dozen years, since Pacifica Reporters Against Censorship went on strike from the Pacifica Network and turned their efforts to an independent, collectively run newscast. While FSRN is […]
KCNL ends Save Alternative weekend programming as Sale to USC Draws Near
On Tuesday we broke the news that the FCC has approved the transfer of Spanish language radio station KCNL in Sunnyvale, California to the University of Southern California (USC) for use as an outlet for classical music station KDFC. KCNL, which is owned by Principle Broadcasting Network, has been airing brokered Spanish talk programming as […]
Can Peter Dinklage save NPR?
The This is NPR blog notes that Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage dropped by All Things Considered earlier this week to talk about “his reservations in accepting the role of character Tyrion Lannister.” I’m glad Dinklage overcame his reservations, since I love Game of Thrones, and his Tyrion character in particular. I’m also glad […]
KALW’s Hear Here on hand at San Francisco Public Library
Be forewarned: this summer KALW’s Hear Here, a “pop up radio project,” will be popping up at the main branch of the San Francisco public library. The show will be there today, in fact (Wednesday, May 23), from 3 to 7 PM. KALW is the public radio station of the San Francisco Unified School district. Staff […]
FCC Grants Assignment of KCNL to USC for use as a KDFC classical radio outlet in San Jose
Yesterday the FCC granted the request by Principle Broadcasting Network to assign the license for San Jose-area radio station KCNL 104.9 FM to University of Southern California (USC) for use as an outlet for classical radio station KDFC. Along with granting the license assignment (part of a $7.5 million deal), the FCC also granted the […]
BBC radio makes you an expert in dubstep in four minutes
To me, dubstep is a bunch of trolls who show up at the turntable.fm classical music room and try to play DJ Fresh or Magnetic Man (we boot them in seconds). But if you’ve ever wanted to know something about the history of the genre, BBC Radio 1 has a YouTube clip that purports to […]
Classical radio’s allergy to the human voice: the case of KDFC
Controversy continues to swirl around San Francisco Bay Area classical radio station KDFC, reinvented as a listener supported outlet. The Federal Communications Commission still hasn’t ruled on its parent organization’s acquisition of an FM frequency from the University of San Francisco. No need to remind Radio Survivor readers about the crude way in which KUSF […]
Donna Summer (1948-2012): On the Radio
Disco singer extraordinaire Donna Summer has died after a long struggle with cancer. There will be many reminiscences of Summer and her work. I remember her best for her wonderful 1979 song, On The Radio, written with Georgio Moroder. Someone found a letter you wrote me, on the radio And they told the world just […]
Boston Alternative Music Radio Station WFNX to be Sold to Clear Channel
Yesterday it was announced that long-time alternative rock station WFNX is selling its Boston-area 101.7 FM frequency to Clear Channel. One of the few independently-owned commercial radio stations, WFNX is currently owned by MCC Broadcasting Company (which is affiliated with the Boston Phoenix aka Phoenix Media/Communications Group). Stephen Mindich, President of MCC announced in a […]
KPFA morning schedule gets new makeover
It has been about eighteen months since Pacifica listener supported station KPFA (Berkeley, CA) dumped its Morning Show for a volunteer lineup called the “Morning Mix.” The move was very controversial and personally disappointing. Thus I was happy to see this press release (below) announcing a new show for the station’s seven AM slot, “Up […]