Buggy Whips

[TheBigA]

I agree with the above statement. Many/most internet broadcasters feel that they can do a better job with music selection than their OTA counterparts.

But what they discover is something OTA radio folks have known for 60 years, which is that there is a very limited audience for that kind of music selection. What people want to hear are a small group of hits, over and over, which is what led to Top 40 in the 1950s. That desire remains exactly the same today. Anyone who goes to bars or clubs will confirm the music list is the same as it's always been. Cover bands don't do obscure songs, but rather the biggest hits.

 

[johnsummers]

Amen, brother 'A'!

 

[metroneck]

Most of you are still living in the WUZ in this thread, and in absolute denial. Trying to argue feasibility, comparing radio to the wheel of all things. Good Lord. If you want to get technical, broadband is still "radio", so if that helps you come to terms with the next gen of media (which is already here btw) then so be it. I'm going to say by 2033 FM commercial broadcasting in top 25 markets will be G O N E, just like rabbit eared analog TV's. the cc's and cumulus's will have branded up their streams just like cable TV channels, there will be nationalized drive time shows, with local updates, just like like TV syndication, and this forum will be renamed to media discussions. I asked a question "what time is it?", but everyone wants to explain how to build watches....#rabbitears.com

 

[TheBigA]

Most of you are still living in the WUZ in this thread, and in absolute denial.

Not at all. You've convinced yourself that radio is dead, or will be dead on a certain date, and you want everyone else to agree with your premise. If we don't agree with your premise, then we're in denial. But we're not in denial of anything except your premise. Nothing wrong with that. People like you have been predicting the death of radio for 65 years, and yet somehow, it still survives.

I think others in this thread have pointed out very simple truths against your premise, starting with the fact that universal wifi is dead, and cell service is going to become increasingly expensive for transmission of audio. As I said in my earlier post, the telecom companies are dedicated to charging by the GB for service. The RIAA is dedicated to increasing the cost of digital royalties. At some point, the costs of digital transmission of radio will far exceed the cost of OTA, and the advantages simply don't justify the increased cost. We aren't there yet, but by 2033, we just might be. How do you respond?

 

[metroneck]

The functional MGz/GHz bands in the global spectrum will be re-assigned.  WIFI/ Broadband/ 'X'G will be controlled much like public road system we drive on today.  There will be interstates, toll ways, drive ways, public and private, but the bandwidth that today's commercial radio stations transmit on shall be sacrificed as public domain, arguing the better good of the population, and gov't security.  utilizing more effective broadband technology, and all that comes with it.  #BeammeupScotty

 

[Robert Bass]

By 2033, terra radio may very well be paying the same performance royalties Internet stations currently pay.

R

 

[TheBigA]

The functional MGz/GHz bands in the global spectrum will be re-assigned. WIFI/ Broadband/ 'X'G will be controlled much like public road system we drive on today.

It's not the 1950s. The FCC isn't in the business of giving away spectrum. They're auctioning it off to telecom companies, who are then charging ever-increasing rates for use on that superhighway. It will not be toll free traveling. There will be a cost, and it will be based on usage. That is very different from free OTA radio, and the quality simply isn't worth the additional cost.

 

[bturner]

I agree with The Big A here. I contend internet streaming per listener is expensive. OTA is not cheap by any means with commercial frequencies auctioned to the highest bidder.

I think radio will evolve into a very different animal in the coming decades. I don't think we have seen that change yet but I suspect the 'big boys' are open to that evolution.

My Dad said something to me growing up. He hated top 40 and Album Rock. His choice then was MOR and Beautiful Music. I remarked I'd always like what the kids listened to. We were talking about that crusing in the car one day and he suggested we tune in the Hip Hop station. He offered a spoon to eat my words and smiled saying what your kids will be listening to will be something you'll never be able to wrap your head around and you'll wonder what they see in 'their' music. My comment was Hip Hop was something I just didn't get and I accepted that. And like him, I can take it in small doses before I want something more understandable to me. Perhaps the next generation of radio will evolve into something we just can't wrap our head around today. Jeez, I'm getting old!

I really don't think radio is dead or on its death bed, just in a lull, searching for that evolution. When you look at the reach, it's still healthy, it just needs an alighnment from the advertising pothole it just hit when the economy tanked.