Internet radio has transformed radio, the Federal Communications Commission’s new report on media observes. But it isn’t clear whether the medium’s economics will facilitate the growth of local online radio journalism. There are two economic/technological impediments, the FCC’s newly released Information Needs of Communities notes. First, bandwidth costs—a problem we’ve discussed here as well: “We […]
Archive | Policy
New Jersey getting out of the “Soviet” public radio business
Sandwiched between the large media markets of Philadelphia and New York City, New Jersey has always had a tough time staking out a unique media identity. Of particular concern has been the ability to have good news state news coverage not dominated by the two adjacent metroplexes. The state of New Jersey has had a […]
Boston pirate bust is a lesson in the slow grind of bureaucracy
It’s been quite some time since I can recall the FCC imploring a U.S. Attorney to issue a warrant to shut down an unlicensed FM station. In fact, it’s quite a rare action, usually reserved for long-running stations that either have been utterly unresponsive to administrative notices or have operated for a long time out […]
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 […]
Chicago’s Latino community radio station Radio Arte up for sale
In a scenario that’s becoming too familiar to Radio Survivor readers, the Chicago-based Latino community radio station Radio Arte is now up for sale by its parent organization, the National Museum of Mexican Art. In fiscal year 2009 the museum reported a deficit of $677,121, and according to President Carlos Tortolero the museum has been […]
Citadel and Cumulus want to merge into Son-of-Clear-Channel
I’m not sure how I missed this bit of news, but I just learned that Cumulus, which boasts being the second largest owner of radio stations in the US, is bidding to buy the third largest, Citadel Broadcasting. Such a merger would create a conglomeration of 572 stations nationwide. This would still be about 300 […]
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 […]
Public station rewards donors with pledge-free web stream
I am a monthly donor to my local public radio station so that I don’t even have call in during its pledge drives — they’ve already got my donation. So despite their attempts to make the morning drive pledge pitches compelling, by the second or third day I turn the station off in the morning […]
FCC Approves Request by USF/CPRN to Move KUSF Transmitter
On Tuesday, April 12 the FCC approved University of San Francisco’s revised request to move the transmitter for KUSF out of San Francisco to Sausalito and issued a Construction Permit (PDF). This “minor change in licensed facilities” request, made on behalf of Classical Public Radio Network (which is awaiting FCC approval on its application to […]