The United Kingdom is so famous for its pirate radio stations that Hollywood made a movie about one. But as always the government is quite dour about these unlicensed signals, and has shut 400 of them down recently, according to a newspaper report. The London Evening Standard says that a quarter of the crackdowns over […]
Tag Archives | Community Radio
LPFM Watch: The Six Segments of LPFM + More Community Radio in Seattle
I just noticed a great piece on REC Networks, “The Six Segments of LPFM,” which outlines the wide array of groups that hold licenses for low power FM (LFPM) radio stations. As we’ve been following the growth of LPFM, particularly after the 2013 application window, I have been interested to learn more about stations in […]
Botswana debates whether community radio encourages “tribalism”
An advisory group to the Parliament of Botswana has unanimously endorsed the establishment of community radio stations in that southern African country to “mitigate communication breakdown between Dikgosi and their communities.” Dikgosi is the plural for Kgosi, a Setswana word for tribal chief. The problem, as the advisory board Ntlo ya Dikgosi sees it, is that […]
Digital Watch: Apple Music Conflict Highlights the Problem of Free Music
Apple Music raised the hackles of musicians–especially independent artists and those signed to independent labels–this week. That conflict highlights the brewing storm over the future of free music–that is, music that listeners don’t have to pay for directly to hear. As nearly all players struggle to make money from music, I argue that independent non-commercial […]
LPFM Watch: NAB Opposes REC’s 250 Watt LPFM Proposal, KMRD Launch, and More News
With not too many remaining pending low power FM (LPFM) applications, we are starting to see very few construction permit grants at this point. The only new construction permit granted this week was to St. Joseph’s, Sykesville, Roman Catholic Congregation, Inc. in Eldersburg, Maryland. (more…)
KEXP to Launch “Under the Needle: the KEXP Sessions” over College and Community Radio
Non-commercial radio station KEXP has created quite a name for itself with its emphasis on live in-studio sessions in its Seattle digs and has been recording hundreds of performances every year. Beginning this fall, KEXP will start sharing select live performances with college and community radio stations (including new low power FM stations) from all […]
LPFM Watch: Emergency Permit for LPFM in Texas Flood Area, WJJA-LP Donates License, and More News
There continues to be a slow trickle of newly granted low power FM (LPFM) construction permits this month, with 5 more granted this week. Additionally, a few applications were dismissed, including Greater Broadcasting Network, Inc. (Duncanville, Texas) and Iglesia Pentecostes del Principe de Paz (Grand Prairie, Texas). Also, a LPFM that is still fundraising in […]
Solving the Mystery of the Ubiquitous Radio Station Call Letter Signs: The Leo Blais Interview
For quite a few years I’ve been intrigued by and obsessed with the handmade 3-dimensional radio station call letter signs that I’ve seen at numerous college and community radio stations all over the United States. One of the signs is posted at KFJC, where I volunteer and DJ, so I see it every week. I […]
Pine, maple, or fig? KUSP of Santa Cruz considers its options
Public/community radio station KUSP-FM of Santa Cruz, California has announced three public meetings to discuss the station’s future. As we’ve reported, principals for the debt ridden signal recently voted to sell its license to the Classical Public Radio Network, which runs classical station KDFC in San Francisco. Since then KUSP supporters have urged the station’s […]
LPFM Watch: Foundation for a Beautiful Life and Caribbean Festival Association to go LPFM, plus more news
It’s been a slow week for LPFM news, with only a couple of new construction permits granted. One application was dismissed this week and, sadly, one existing license was canceled. However, there’s potentially exciting news for stations hoping to upgrade, as a proposal for a new 250 watt LPFM service is officially open for public […]