NAB still using misinformation to defeat low-power radio expansion
The National Association of Broadcasters has never been a friend to low-power community radio. Back in 2000, when the FCC first created the service, the NAB did everything it could to try and keep it from becoming a reality. While the broadcast lobby failed to stop it outright, the NAB did succeed in getting Congress […]
Radio as Survival Tool in Sudan
Although many of us are fixated on radio crises in the United States, from stations getting shut down to favored radio hosts being fired, to college radio stations getting sold off; it’s rare that we talk about the important role that radio can play in keeping citizens informed and engaged. As I wrote in my […]
Classical, jazz, and world music on public radio declined by up to 30% over last decade
A survey of 505 public radio stations from 2001 through 2010 indicates that a fifth of them abandoned classical music formats during those years. Many also let go of jazz, and even more discarded world music during the same time period. The statistics were submitted to the Federal Communications Commission by National Public Radio in […]
Media tweek: Should Rush Limbaugh’s supporters be allowed to vote?
Should Rush Limbaugh’s supporters be allowed to vote? Given the amazingly mean spirited and stupid things Limbaugh says, should the dittoheads who mindlessly applaud him receive the franchise? Could you imagine the elevated difference in the political makeup of this country if they didn’t? For example, on December 3, Limbaugh noted that hundreds of unemployed […]
Congressman: Rush Limbaugh wants to extend tax breaks for himself
As Capitol Hill debates whether to extend the Bush era tax cut for millionaires, Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL) pushed back on prominent talk radio hosts in favor of the provision, especially Rush Limbaugh. “They tell us that extending the tax cuts for the rich will somehow create jobs,” declared Grayson on the floor of the […]
KTRU Supporters Petition FCC to Halt Sale of Rice University Station
It’s been a long fight for supporters of student radio station KTRU at Rice University, who don’t want to see their station sold off to University of Houston for use as another public radio outlet. Today was the final day for citizens to send letters of protest to the FCC (as part of the 30-day […]
Sirius XM launches channel leasing site; Radio One still not happy
Another step forward for applicants who want to lease out those Sirius XM “qualified entity” channels that the satellite radio service promised to offer after it merged two years ago. Sirius XM has now thrown up a website where applicants can make their case for a show (or an entire channel). What is Sirius XM […]
Clock is ticking on Howard Stern’s Sirius channel
Howard Stern may be the face that launched four satellites (now 9), but as he wraps up his fifth year on Sirius satellite radio both his listeners and stock analysts are wondering if the King of All Media will continue to broadcast from orbit come 2011. Stern’s current $500 million contract is set to run […]
What the Comcast – Level 3 conflict means for radio
In a textbook example of the abusive power of a near-monopoly, the ‘net was set ablaze yesterday upon the news that major internet backbone provider and content distribution network (CDN) company Level 3 called out cable-modem internet service provide Comcast for demanding additional fees for delivering video and other content to Comcast customers. Comcast’s demands […]
2010 Holiday Gift Guide for Radio Fans
Happy Cyber Monday! If you’re starting your holiday shopping, don’t forget radio-related gifts. Last year I wrote a handy guide outlining the most perfect radio-themed gifts for the different types of people on your list. That list is still a great starting point, so this time around I’m just going to add a few new […]