Is Sprint worth six free months of Spotify Premium?
Latest Sprint buzz: the carrier may try to acquire T-Mobile. This follows Sprint announcing that it will offer six months of Spotify Premium to “all new and existing postpaid Sprint customers” who are on one of its “framily” plans. This is good news, except that if you take advantage of the aforementioned offer your carrier is Sprint. […]
Sen. Franken Says FCC’s Proposal Would “Destroy” Open Internet
Minnesota Senator Al Franken is one of the stronger Congressional advocates of network neutrality. He is also a firm opponent of communication industry consolidation, as well as a former radio host. On Tuesday Franken sent a strongly worded letter [PDF] to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler about the Commission’s proposed Open Internet rules. He does not […]
Guatemala almost buries Beethoven again; saves classical radio station
Faro Radio, Guatemala’s classical radio station (104.5 FM), recently faced going dark, so the signal resorted to a desperate gambit. It announced that it would bury the composer Ludwig von Beethoven yet again (he last died in March of 1827). The Adland Commercial Archive blog explains: “In Guatemala, when a person passes away, you express […]
In This Week’s Podcasting News: Webby Award Winners Announced, and More
In this week’s podcasting news we have the Webby Award winners; Rogue Ameoba CEO discusses his software’s role in the prehistory of podcasting; and Freakonomics host Stephen Dubner looks forward to the medium’s ubiquity. Webby Award Winners Announced Webby Award winners have been announced. The big winners in the podcasting world are Stitcher Radio, which […]
Join us at 8 PM EDT Tonight for a Hangout with Prof. John Anderson
Prof. John Anderson has been covering radio and communications freedom for more than a decade at DIYMedia.net. He recently filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the FCC regarding a recent decision that effectively put the Commission in the role of determining what is and is not news. Last year his first book, Radio’s […]
If Pandora goes the way of Amazon, what’s next?
The fascinating world of online stuff and online music sharing continues to navigate its strange post-modern course as worried projections about Amazon.com and Pandora Media waft across the news/blogosphere. What do Pandora and Amazon have in common? They function in an environment in which revenue and profits appear to depend on technology, but in fact depend […]
LPFM backer in Congress has “serious concerns” about FCC net neutrality plan
Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA) just sent us a press release sharing his worries about the Federal Communications Commission’s new proposed ‘commercially reasonable’ Open Internet rules. “I have serious concerns about the FCC’s proposal and the effects it might have on access, content, innovation, and consumers’ pocketbooks,” Doyle says. “An open internet is essential to fostering […]
College Radio Watch: Touring Villanova University Station WXVU and More College Radio News
Over the past few weeks I’ve resumed my field trips to radio stations and college radio stations have made up the bulk of those tours. During my stay in the Philadelphia area a few weeks ago, I visited five college radio stations, starting off with WXVU 89.1 FM at Villanova University. The station shares its […]
FCC Open Internet Proposal: “Commercially Reasonable” Discrimination Is OK
Last night I was willing to give FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler the benefit of the doubt when he released a statement saying, “There are reports that the FCC is gutting the Open Internet rule. They are flat out wrong.” Today I know that benefit was misplaced. After listening to a conference call the FCC had […]
Low Power Station goes to Father of Radio’s Alma Mater & More LPFM News
I’m afraid we’re starting to sound like a broken record here in LPFM Watch lately, as we wrap up yet another slow week for approvals and LPFM news. The FCC issued another 22 construction permits, bringing the grand total to 1175 new LPFM stations approved. There are some interesting groups getting stations in this lot. […]