LPFM advocate REC Networks has been cranking out reports and analysis in order to make sense of the nearly 3,000 LPFM applications that were filed in the October-November, 2013 window. In the course of that, it has been flagging applications that seem to have errors or that look to be masquerading as local applicants. Today […]
Archive | Localism
UK radio listeners: we want our morning hosts local
Britain’s broadcasting regulatory agency has released a new survey on listener attitudes towards radio. Among the bullet points: more than half of the nation’s local radio listeners want local presenters (radio hosts) between six and 10 a.m. “Considering the role of sharing programming across stations, 59% of BBC local/nations listeners and 52% of local commercial […]
Chicago’s WBEZ is the 4th station to drop Smiley and West
Chicago’s public radio station WBEZ quietly dropped the syndicated Smiley and West program from its Sunday line-up at the end of September. This stands in contrast to the station’s decision to drop Car Talk reruns from its Saturday line-up, which management communicated in an email to donor members explaining the decision and soliciting feedback (full […]
Corporate FM Premieres at Kansas City Film Fest
At Radio Survivor we obsess about radio consolidation every day of the year, but this topic isn’t pervasive across mainstream popular culture. Because of that, I was excited to hear about a new film, Corporate FM, which delves into the “downfall of commercial FM.” The movie premieres tonight at 8:30pm at the Kansas City Film […]
Public file is still alive as FCC considers online docs
At yesterday’s open meeting the FCC released a new proposal to “modernize” public inspection files at television broadcast stations [PDF]. The biggest change proposed is to have the FCC host the files on its own website rather than have each broadcaster use its own website. As expected, the Commission also vacated a 2007 order that […]
Could a Community Radio Station Save Your Life? Hurricane Irene’s Radio Heroes
It’s really no surprise to Radio Survivor readers that terrestrial radio is vital during an emergency. We’ve seen some amazing stories about how stations have stepped up to provide needed information and help after disasters around the world, such as in the wake of recent tornados in Joplin and Tuscaloosa and after the 2010 earthquake […]
Radio Comes to the Rescue after Joplin Tornado
Time and time again we are reminded of the vital importance of terrestrial radio following a natural disaster. Just this week, six commercial radio stations in Joplin, Missouri have stepped up following the horrific tornado there. As was the case after the recent tornado in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and after the hurricane in Haiti; radio has […]
Family Radio’s Rapture Fallout Prompts Letters to FCC and Congress
The hype surrounding Family Radio’s prediction of Judgment Day and the Rapture on May 21 (and subsequent pronouncement that the Rapture will be delayed until October 21, 2011) not only attracted the attention of mainstream media, religious scholars, and atheists; but it also has led to much conversation amongst proponents of non-commercial educational radio. Before […]
Public FCC Files on the Chopping Block
Just in time for the start of the latest radio station license-renewal cycle, the FCC opens up for question the notion of abolishing the public file requirement for broadcasters. This is not a self-imposed initiative: it is a consideration the agency is mandated to make, courtesy of the Paperwork Reduction Act. It requires regulatory agencies […]
University of San Francisco Faculty Association Adopts Resolution Opposing Sale of KUSF
Right now supporters of KUSF are heading into City Hall in San Francisco, anticipating today’s 2pm Board of Supervisors’ meeting, in which a resolution opposing the sale of University of San Francisco’s college radio station KUSF is expected to be voted on. For the past two weeks KUSF volunteers and fans have been calling, writing […]