Norman Wain: Terrestrial radio isn't going anywhere

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

While the growth in popularity of satellite radio among American consumers has raised questions about traditional radio's future, the medium is expected to survive in the long run, according to a local radio executive.

That was the message conveyed by radio executive Norman Wain during a recent appearance he made at the Boca Raton Roundtable, a non-partisan group of local business, professional, political and civic leaders who meet monthly to discuss pressing issues.

***

"All new technology is a modification of what has come before it. Satellite radio is another version of this," Wain said. "I strongly believe that, just like network and cable television, both terrestrial and satellite radio will be able to exist because they'll serve different sections of the public."


<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=14701&category=Local%20News>http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=14701&category=Local%20News</a>

 

[SamBuca]

Sam Buca: FM Fad To Disappear

The new buzz in the industry is FM. I say it'll go the way of the hula-hoop and pet rocks. First of all, the distance is much shorter than AM. Second, the signal is blocked by mountains, buildings and just about any structure. Third, it's dangerous...just standing next to the antenna will fry you.

Answer me this:

Does the industry REALLY expect us all to buy new radios? Do you REALLY want this goofy antenna on your car or in your living room? Could this put the recording industry out of a job since frequency modulation has hi-fidelity sound capabilities? Who would continue to buy records when we broadcast hi-fidelity audio 24/7? What of our news outlets such as channel 106 KYW? Do you think we'll see KYW survive into the 70s, 80s or even 90s? What about the future? Are we even going to have AM facilities into the next millennium once this dangerous and flawed FM comes into the mainstream?

-Sam Buca, 1958<P ID="signature">______________
</P>

 

[k9ez]

You NAILED it!!!

> The new buzz in the industry is FM. I say it'll go the way
> of the hula-hoop and pet rocks. First of all, the distance
> is much shorter than AM. Second, the signal is blocked by
> mountains, buildings and just about any structure. Third,
> it's dangerous...just standing next to the antenna will fry
> you.
>
> Answer me this:
>
> Does the industry REALLY expect us all to buy new radios?
> Do you REALLY want this goofy antenna on your car or in your
> living room? Could this put the recording industry out of a
> job since frequency modulation has hi-fidelity sound
> capabilities? Who would continue to buy records when we
> broadcast hi-fidelity audio 24/7? What of our news outlets
> such as channel 106 KYW? Do you think we'll see KYW survive
> into the 70s, 80s or even 90s? What about the future? Are
> we even going to have AM facilities into the next millennium
> once this dangerous and flawed FM comes into the mainstream?
>
>
> -Sam Buca, 1958
>


How funny is this???

How many people said this in the late 50's/easrly 60's? Whats all this crazy music on FM? Who would want to listen to that? Why should should I spend more money on an FM receiver when I can get AM just fine? How many stations dumped their Mega Watts FM signals because they didnt think FM would take off (and are now kicking themselves)?

People, we need to learn from the past. It is staring us in the FACE. Know your history, and where we came from, to learn where we are going......


-Kent Winrich, 2006

 

[Shawman]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

> > The new buzz in the industry is FM. I say it'll go the
> way
> > of the hula-hoop and pet rocks. First of all, the
> distance
> > is much shorter than AM. Second, the signal is blocked by
>
> > mountains, buildings and just about any structure. Third,
>
> > it's dangerous...just standing next to the antenna will
> fry
> > you.
> >
> > Answer me this:
> >
> > Does the industry REALLY expect us all to buy new radios?
>
> > Do you REALLY want this goofy antenna on your car or in
> your
> > living room? Could this put the recording industry out of
> a
> > job since frequency modulation has hi-fidelity sound
> > capabilities? Who would continue to buy records when we
> > broadcast hi-fidelity audio 24/7? What of our news
> outlets
> > such as channel 106 KYW? Do you think we'll see KYW
> survive
> > into the 70s, 80s or even 90s? What about the future?
> Are
> > we even going to have AM facilities into the next
> millennium
> > once this dangerous and flawed FM comes into the
> mainstream?
> >
> >
> > -Sam Buca, 1958
> >
>
>
> How funny is this???
>
> How many people said this in the late 50's/easrly 60's?
> Whats all this crazy music on FM? Who would want to listen
> to that? Why should should I spend more money on an FM
> receiver when I can get AM just fine? How many stations
> dumped their Mega Watts FM signals because they didnt think
> FM would take off (and are now kicking themselves)?
>
> People, we need to learn from the past. It is staring us in
> the FACE. Know your history, and where we came from, to
> learn where we are going......
>
>
> -Kent Winrich, 2006

I think you missed part of the point. Is KYW still around? Has AM gone away? Is the recording industry out of business. No they all survived quite well dispite the new and dangerous FM.
>

 

[SamBuca]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

> I think you missed part of the point. Is KYW still around?
> Has AM gone away? Is the recording industry out of business.
> No they all survived quite well dispite the new and
> dangerous FM.

My point was that new technology is going to incur an expense to the end user and that the technology doesn't offer a REPLACEMENT to the current technology...it just complements it. FM stereo was a REPLACEMENT technology over FM mono. AM was a REPLACEMENT technology over old sparky. Those little white PCI slots in your computer were a REPLACEMENT technology over ISA. XM/Sirius doesn't replace anything.

If anything, we might see IBOC--flawed as it is--being the replacement technology.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>

 

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

> If anything, we might see IBOC--flawed as it is--being the
> replacement technology.

And that will only be because of regulatory fiat (not the car).

 

[Les]

Coin slots of toilet paper dispensers

In avarice-motivated Switzerland they have coin slots on toilet paper dispensers in airports, railroad stations and even hotel rooms. Generally two. The high-price machine dispenses the facial quality stuff we Americans are used to. The low-price machine dispenses heavily waxed paper. So many Swiss (and people who've been there before) just carry handy little packets of TP in their pockets just in case....*

People don't like to pay for things that should be free.

Now consider how successful FM might have become if every FM radio had a coin slot. Or came with a monthly bill. Even for 79-cents. AM stereo might really have caught on unless you had to deposit a quarter to hear the stereo instead of mono. But nobody would be that foolish, right?

And then we have satellite radio with coin slots. Oh, OK, automatic billing to your overburdened credit card. Who would think the fact of having to pay for it might be an at least somewhat limiting factor?????



* Story is NOT true; it's an urban legend that perseveres since the Swiss are such money grubbing little buggers that the concept is entirely plausible.<P ID="signature">______________
When you're done impeaching the prez, keep on going; recall every member of congress and lock 'em up! Let's try NO govt. for a while.</P>

 

[zoey]

Very Funny

Hello, all...

AM did not disappear. It is down to less than a 20% share in most markets.

KYW did not disappear. Their share is about half what is once was. WFIL is brokered religion. Wibbage is syndicated talk and barely on the radio. WCAU - now WPHT - is a shadow of its former self and mostly syndicated. WIP is doing well with guy talk; WPEN is not.

And to the comment that people will not pay for anything that should be free: That's what they said about TV. Now the average cable/satellite bill is over $50.00.

Movies are still around. Of course, at one time average attendance was once a week. Now it's four times a year.

Times change. Broadcasters who want to survive change with them.

Broadcasters once saw FM as a threat and drove the inventor to suicide. The FCC forced FM on the industry and - kicking and screaming - the industry made a ton of money off it. If broadcasters intend to be around in 20 years, they better stay with the times and embrace new technologies - and admit that satellite radio is radio. Mutual didn't embrace TV and they aren't around. CBS held back and ended up paying millions for TV licenses they could have had for free. Western Union turned down the chance to buy Bell's telephone business. Railroads didn't want to get involved in airlines because they were in the train business, not the transportation business.

Those in radio who stick their heads in the sand and keep saying everything is fine in radio doom themselves to the same fate.

PS: Sam, in 1958 KYW was 1100 AM, a top 40 station in Cleveland. 1060 AM was WRCV, a big band station in Philadelphia. Top 40 and Big Band aren't around any more. Music on AM isn't around any more.

 

[k9ez]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

> > > The new buzz in the industry is FM. I say it'll go the
> > way
> > > of the hula-hoop and pet rocks. First of all, the
> > distance
> > > is much shorter than AM. Second, the signal is blocked
> by
> >
> > > mountains, buildings and just about any structure.
> Third,
> >
> > > it's dangerous...just standing next to the antenna will
> > fry
> > > you.
> > >
> > > Answer me this:
> > >
> > > Does the industry REALLY expect us all to buy new
> radios?
> >
> > > Do you REALLY want this goofy antenna on your car or in
> > your
> > > living room? Could this put the recording industry out
> of
> > a
> > > job since frequency modulation has hi-fidelity sound
> > > capabilities? Who would continue to buy records when we
>
> > > broadcast hi-fidelity audio 24/7? What of our news
> > outlets
> > > such as channel 106 KYW? Do you think we'll see KYW
> > survive
> > > into the 70s, 80s or even 90s? What about the future?
> > Are
> > > we even going to have AM facilities into the next
> > millennium
> > > once this dangerous and flawed FM comes into the
> > mainstream?
> > >
> > >
> > > -Sam Buca, 1958
> > >
> >
> >
> > How funny is this???
> >
> > How many people said this in the late 50's/easrly 60's?
> > Whats all this crazy music on FM? Who would want to
> listen
> > to that? Why should should I spend more money on an FM
> > receiver when I can get AM just fine? How many stations
> > dumped their Mega Watts FM signals because they didnt
> think
> > FM would take off (and are now kicking themselves)?
> >
> > People, we need to learn from the past. It is staring us
> in
> > the FACE. Know your history, and where we came from, to
> > learn where we are going......
> >
> >
> > -Kent Winrich, 2006
>
> I think you missed part of the point. Is KYW still around?
> Has AM gone away? Is the recording industry out of business.
> No they all survived quite well dispite the new and
> dangerous FM.


No I think I pretty much get it. And you are exactly right, they all survived despite FM.


>

 

[radionut987]

Re: Very Funny

> Hello, all...
>
> AM did not disappear. It is down to less than a 20% share
> in most markets.
>
> KYW did not disappear. Their share is about half what is
> once was. WFIL is brokered religion. Wibbage is syndicated
> talk and barely on the radio. WCAU - now WPHT - is a shadow
> of its former self and mostly syndicated. WIP is doing well
> with guy talk; WPEN is not.
>
> And to the comment that people will not pay for anything
> that should be free: That's what they said about TV. Now
> the average cable/satellite bill is over $50.00.
>
> Movies are still around. Of course, at one time average
> attendance was once a week. Now it's four times a year.
>
> Times change. Broadcasters who want to survive change with
> them.
>
> Broadcasters once saw FM as a threat and drove the inventor
> to suicide. The FCC forced FM on the industry and - kicking
> and screaming - the industry made a ton of money off it. If
> broadcasters intend to be around in 20 years, they better
> stay with the times and embrace new technologies - and admit
> that satellite radio is radio. Mutual didn't embrace TV and
> they aren't around. CBS held back and ended up paying
> millions for TV licenses they could have had for free.
> Western Union turned down the chance to buy Bell's telephone
> business. Railroads didn't want to get involved in airlines
> because they were in the train business, not the
> transportation business.
>
> Those in radio who stick their heads in the sand and keep
> saying everything is fine in radio doom themselves to the
> same fate.
>
> PS: Sam, in 1958 KYW was 1100 AM, a top 40 station in
> Cleveland. 1060 AM was WRCV, a big band station in
> Philadelphia. Top 40 and Big Band aren't around any more.
> Music on AM isn't around any more.
>

Agreed, Geoff. If terrestrial radio is to remain viable, it has to provide compelling content, and provide an advantage that satellite radio doesn't have. And one of those advantages is being live and local. Sadly, though, most stations these days are saving money, or at least the management of those stations think they're doing so, by running on autopilot either via computer, satellite dish, or both. Terrestrial radio isn't down for the count just yet, but it does have some work to do if it's compete against the satellite radio's, i pods, and MP3's of the world. By the way, the only music that's being played on the AM dial nowadays is either gospel, contemporary Christian, or some other form of Christian music.

 

[wiradioguy]

my 2 and 3/4 cents worth..

> > Music on AM isn't around any more.

By the
> way, the only music that's being played on the AM dial
> nowadays is either gospel, contemporary Christian, or some
> other form of Christian music.
>


I know I'm being pickey..but our little AM here in Wisconsin plays music(and not christian either). I still can get WSM and last time I listened they still had country music. (note..we are doing very well to!! yes we have lots of local news, high school sports..ect)

 

[k9ez]

Re: my 2 and 3/4 cents worth..

> > > Music on AM isn't around any more.
>
> By the
> > way, the only music that's being played on the AM dial
> > nowadays is either gospel, contemporary Christian, or some
>
> > other form of Christian music.
> >
>
>
> I know I'm being pickey..but our little AM here in Wisconsin
> plays music(and not christian either). I still can get WSM
> and last time I listened they still had country music.
> (note..we are doing very well to!! yes we have lots of
> local news, high school sports..ect)
>


What station???

I am with WOKY AM -920 where we play music, have UW-Milwaukee basketball, and Sunday local live talk shows. Usually show up around 10th in the 32nd market. Not too bad at all!

 

[radionut987]

Re: my 2 and 3/4 cents worth..

> > > > Music on AM isn't around any more.
> >
> > By the
> > > way, the only music that's being played on the AM dial
> > > nowadays is either gospel, contemporary Christian, or
> some
> >
> > > other form of Christian music.
> > >
> >
> >
> > I know I'm being pickey..but our little AM here in
> Wisconsin
> > plays music(and not christian either). I still can get
> WSM
> > and last time I listened they still had country music.
> > (note..we are doing very well to!! yes we have lots of
> > local news, high school sports..ect)
> >
>

>
> What station???
>
> I am with WOKY AM -920 where we play music, have
> UW-Milwaukee basketball, and Sunday local live talk shows.
> Usually show up around 10th in the 32nd market. Not too bad
> at all!
>

Oops! Didn't realize some AM's still played adult standards and other forms of non-Christian music not played on the FM dial anywhere.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by radionut987 on 03/24/06 02:18 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[SamBuca]

Re: my 2 and 3/4 cents worth..

> Oops! Didn't realize some AM's still played adult standards
> and other forms of non-Christian music not played on the FM
> dial anywhere.

I play standards. Our sister station in NEPA plays standards on AM and FM (simulcast). Another station in town does country gold.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>

 

[davideduardo]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

>
> How many people said this in the late 50's/easrly 60's?
> Whats all this crazy music on FM?

In the late 50's and early 60's, few people were very aware of FM at all, and the music was mostly classical or instrumental or an AM simulcast.

It was not until well into the 60's that anything else appeared in any quantity on FM, and most was after the 1967 prohibition of AM full simulcasts.

> Who would want to listen
> to that? Why should should I spend more money on an FM
> receiver when I can get AM just fine? How many stations
> dumped their Mega Watts FM signals because they didnt think
> FM would take off (and are now kicking themselves)?

The loss of FM signals was mostly in the post-freeze few years in the mid-60's when radio was in crisis over the hundreds of new TV stations. From about 950 stations in 1950, it went to under 700 by the end of the decade. In the 60's, it gradually increased. the biggest activity came around 1970, when a few operators started to realize that FM could be viable.

Still, there were examples such as the 1970 sale of a full B in Richmond, VA, for $74,000 or Storer's sale of all its FMs in about 1972.
>
> People, we need to learn from the past. It is staring us in
> the FACE. Know your history, and where we came from, to
> learn where we are going......

FM expanded the listening opportunities with lots of new formats. In many growing markets, only an AM or two covered the market day and night. FM required a minimal investment and was free thereafter. And it took about 30 years, a change in band, and FCC legislation to start working. I do not see anything comparable today, as the formats preferred by the vast majority of people are available on terrestrial radio. FM, on the other hand, expanded the market offerings in nearly every city by two to threefold.

 

[k9ez]

Re: my 2 and 7/8 cents worth..

> > Oops! Didn't realize some AM's still played adult
> standards
> > and other forms of non-Christian music not played on the
> FM
> > dial anywhere.
>
> I play standards. Our sister station in NEPA plays
> standards on AM and FM (simulcast). Another station in town
> does country gold.
>

And to pile on... 1690 in Chicago does Real Oldies with Larry Lujack in the mornings.

Locally I can get the following: Urban, another oldies, country gold, kids, Gospel, polka.... I woud hate to say our WOKY is adult standards as they throw in things like the O'Jays, Spinners, Beatles, Spyro Gyra.. heck they have even played the Rolling Stones.

 

[KMRichards]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

> Still, there were examples such as the 1970 sale of a full B
> in Richmond, VA, for $74,000 or Storer's sale of all its FMs
> in about 1972.

There was one notable exception to Storer's wholesale selling off of its FMs. In Los Angeles, where its AM, KGBS/1020, was a daytimer protecting KDKA Pittsburgh, they kept KGBS-FM/97.1 until they divested all of their radio properties a half-dozen years later.

By that time, the AM was KTNQ ("Ten-Q") and had its nighttime pattern operational; the AM kept those calls as it went to a Spanish-language format (I believe that was when Heftel acquired it; you would know, David, as you work for KTNQ's current owners) and the FM went to a "hip CHR" format as KHTZ ("K-Hits"), using the airstaff from the AM to replace an automated country format. I think Greater Media acquired the FM but didn't keep it for more than three or four years, during which time it evolved to AC KBZT ("K-Best") and then to Classic Rock KLSX ("Classics").

I'm pretty sure that Storer kept its FM in Los Angeles due to their AM being a daytimer. Up until the Ten-Q format launched, concurrent with the nighttime pattern being licensed, KGBS-FM simulcasted the AM during daytime hours and then continued solo with the same format overnight. (For several months before Ten-Q started, they programmed the FM as the main station, with the AM simulcasting during its operational hours but not mentioned in any way other than the legal IDs; the FM went automated when the AM went solo in 1976, as Storer lacked the budget for two full-time live airstaffs. The automated FM format used the Ten-Q DJs, voicetracking under different air names.)<P ID="signature">______________


</P>

 

[John_U]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

XM/Sirius doesn't replace
> anything.
>
I just got back from visiting Cocoa Beach. I have to bring my own CD's because what I normally listen to: Middle Ages Top 40, Jazz, Blues, Oldies, is not on the FM dial there. Soemtimes, I can get soemthing from Orlando but not very well and not druing NPR times.

This trip I rented a car with a satellite radio. I was able to put the CD's away and listen to the radio again.

AM/Sirius replaces bad rock, hip-hop, Spanish, Religuous, and talk with a chance to actually hear somethnig different.

John

 

[davideduardo]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

>
> By that time, the AM was KTNQ ("Ten-Q") and had its
> nighttime pattern operational; the AM kept those calls as it
> went to a Spanish-language format (I believe that was when
> Heftel acquired it;

Liberman bought it in the 70's, and then Cecil bought it in about 1984.

> you would know, David, as you work for
> KTNQ's current owners)

I have worked for 3 owners of KTNQ: Heftel, HBC and Univsion. Under the first two, I was PD of it.
>
> I'm pretty sure that Storer kept its FM in Los Angeles due
> to their AM being a daytimer.

Remember, it was beautiful music as KGBS when Storer bought KPOP in about 1960. It was some kind of AC when Bill Ballance was on and then country prior to going fulltime. It went from 5 kw as KPOP to 50 kw days as KGBS. Interestingly, while a daytimer, it could sign on at sunrise

 

[KMRichards]

Re: You NAILED it!!!

> Remember, it was beautiful music as KGBS when Storer bought
> KPOP in about 1960. It was some kind of AC when Bill
> Ballance was on and then country prior to going fulltime. It
> went from 5 kw as KPOP to 50 kw days as KGBS. Interestingly,
> while a daytimer, it could sign on at sunrise

I remember the AC days of KGBS. Hudson and Landry did mornings, followed by Bill Ballance, then Dave Hull (the famous "Hullaballoer" of the glory days at KRLA) in afternoon drive. Bob Morgan, who was later PD when KGBS went country, did nights.

As for the daytime sign-on, I believe that was due to the fact that their license specifically protected KDKA in Pittsburgh, so they were allowed to sign on at local sunrise or 6:00am, whichever was earlier. KGBS also returned to the air on Sunday nights from 9:00pm to 2:00am, when KDKA was supposed to be off the air for maintenance. (This was spelled out in their license.)

And, of course, the KGBS calls were the initials of George B. Storer ...<P ID="signature">______________


</P>