Why (FM, Not XM) Radio Sucks 616
wemmick writes "The Washington Post has an article "Can XM Put Radio Back Together Again?" which discusses the history of marketing FM radio, how XM could be different, and about Lee Abrams -- "the man who shackled FM radio to the tyranny of mass market research" and is now program director for XM."
Xm/Am/Fm/ClearM (Score:5, Insightful)
Sooner or later ClearM (Clear Channel Radio) is going to fail as well... due to the fact that they are not marketing to the locals but the masses... they have tons of stations that all play the same ads.. and different music... just doesn't work that way.
I disagree with the author (Score:5, Insightful)
radio is dead (Score:5, Insightful)
the radio plays what they want you to hear...
they tell me its cool...
i just don't believe it...
FM radio is horrible. Around here, DJs have stopped taking request (probably because they are owned by clear channel). Music selection is poor, and they over play the good song to the point that you would rather go deaf than hear that song again. I can just burn a cd with the songs i want to hear as opposed to sitting through a crappy creed song in hopes that the next song will be one that i want to listen to
Hopefully XM can save radio, before it is gone for good
Why not fix FM while we are at it? (Score:5, Insightful)
Now are we going to give up on FM as well?
I can see a lot of advantages to the satellite radio systems particularly in rural areas where you find little or no radio. So these systems have their place. However we still need local radio. Not the clear channel kind, but real local radio.
Here in the Portland area we had a nice station in the early 80's called KSKD. They were innovative. Dolby FM (Which we all should be using today.), very low key DJ's, well defined commercial blocks, and an interesting playlist were all part of this local station. Many of my early musical tastes were formed while listening to the music played on KSKD and when they went off the air, I missed them.
Listening to the radio while on trips used to be pretty interesting. As you went from place to place, the music was different. Each city seemed to have a station or two, like KSKD, that played what they thought was cool. Their listeners became loyal because the combination of music and its presentation was not to be found elsewhere.
Companies like Clear Channel have done the public a dis-service in that they have ruined local programming in all station except community and educational ones.
So for now, satellite radio is a new medium that shines right now. But will it go the way AM and FM did?
Abrams can go to hell (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Xm/Am/Fm/ClearM (Score:4, Insightful)
Easier way to save FM radio (Score:1, Insightful)
Lie.
Find out the progressive rock stations (not the phony ones that say "leading edge" and then end up playing M&M). Find out the classical stations, the jazz stations, the ones that have oddball formats, bluegrass.
And swear you listen to them. That's what I did.
And in the comments section at the end of the week write "I hate most of FM...it all sounds alike".
And keep doing it, urge your family and friends to to the same.
Take the ratings out of the loser stations.
I finally heard M&M today, BTW. He sounds like he would be popular with 14 year old girls.
Payola (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Outside of radio markets (Score:1, Insightful)
How do you back up a statement like that?
Noone I know listens to radio unless there's no other option... radio has been fully relegated to cars, and even then it's usually for playing CDs or cassettes, rather than listening to the shite that gets broadcast.
So, are you wrong, or am I wrong, and how exactly do you KNOW?
Re:XM is a monopoly, isn't it? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:XM Sux, Siriusly (Score:4, Insightful)
I've read that Sirius has three satellites, where XM has two. Additionally Sirius' satellites are in higher orbits. The result is that Sirius has a more reliable signal and fewer loses of signal.
I'd like to add another point that is probably splitting hairs. Most of the subscribers of these satellite radio services aren't even going to hear it from a direct satellite source. XM and the like had to erect antennas in the major cities to get around that whole skyscraper problem of blocking the signal.
Technology aside, how long do you think it is going to take to introduce 24 minutes of commercials every hour into this format once stockholders realize how much more money they can make? Not long. In fact, they've probably already started boiling the frog.
The only people I can see getting excited about this product are those that live beyond the broadcast range of FM stations. If lived at such a location and had an interest in radio as a medium I'd be all over it. However, I don't and I would imagine that the majority of the millions of subscribers they need to be profitable do live in FM range.
Let's see, crappy reception for commercial filled pop channels with no local news/content for $10/month plus >$200 entry fee versus crappy reception for commercial filled pop channels with local news/content for free. If I had to turn on a radio, I think I'd use FM way before XM. Then again, I don't listen to radio or watch TV so I don't have this dilemma.
What Do You Mean FM Sucks?? (Score:5, Insightful)
You're simply un-American and a terrorist sympathizer if all you want is information about your local community, or music that isn't getting airplay because of elaborate plug-n-play schemes or being pulled from the dusty archives because the station ownership is promoting the concert in the next town.
The FCC has your interests at heart. They realize that more common ownership is a good thing and is willing to take this a step further by again reducing ownership rules and even permitting television stations to own radio and newspapers.
Think of the bargains that advertisers will see when they have a one-stop-shop for all of their advertising. Imagine the benefits of unbiased uniformed reporting that you'll get from radio, TV and newsprint. Why, there won't be nary any discrepancies to the news since it'll come from the same copy writer no matter the source of your news.
The FCC knows best, trust them and you will see.
Of course, the above is sarcasm. I spent over 13 years in the broadcasting industry. I'm still taking three showers a day in an attempt to get rid of the stench.
Support Public Radio (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:The big question: Will people pay for radio? (Score:3, Insightful)
You're paying for the delivery mechanism (the cable company's network and associated resources). Your bill does not pay for the actual content; this is obtained free through the use of advertising. It's like paying for an internet connection and having to view ads on a web site; you're paying for the delivery mechanism, but since you aren't paying for the actual content, you get to see some ads instead.
Re:Radio dies at the hands of MP3 (Score:2, Insightful)
Radio's nice for finding out new about bands, and music. Plus XM transmits the title and artist information, so I know what the heck I'm listening to, and some recivers will even let you save the information for later. Must get boring listening to the same albums over and over agian.
Re:Radio dies at the hands of MP3 (Score:4, Insightful)
So.. how do you find new music?
"Who wants to be TOLD what to watch or listen to, and when?"
I'm not a big fan of radio, but I find that comment misleading. Radio's something you monitor. You don't get blasted with info about what time a song will play like TV does. And since everything on the radio's purchasable at some point (unlike TV), then this particular argument fades away.
It works great for TV, but I'm not sure you're doing much more than oversimplifying and twisting details around.
Why Radio Sucks (Including XM) (Score:3, Insightful)
Decentralize (Score:3, Insightful)
I'm thinking market forces won't ever provide that anywhere near as well as "stations" run by people who simply love music.
FM is free. XM isn't. End of story. (Score:4, Insightful)
Satellite radio would be something I'd be interested in if it was more feature-rich and Internet enabled. Imagine a service with a Tivo-like reciever that is capable of storing songs, seeking new songs you might be interested in based on your past preferences and allowing you to build your own playlist.
Imagine you can also access this service through the Internet and stream your music on your computer so inside your home or at work you can enjoy your music as well.
Imagine the hardware isn't an in-dash reciever but a portable iPod-sized device. You can bring it with you if you happen to own more than one vehicle (which I do), or carry it with you like a Walkman(TM).
That is a product and service I'd be happy to pay money for.
* I enjoy a large percentage of current popular music. If you do not enjoy so-called mainstream radio, YMMV.
Re:Outside of radio markets (Score:4, Insightful)
Uh, no.
Let's take a few of your examples:
103.5 - "dance"
That's WKTU. The US's #1 dance station. This is where all new dance music that comes over from Europe premiers. No kidding. If it's hot in the UK, you'll hear it first. Best rhythm-format station in the country, period.
97.1 - old skool r&b
That's Hot 97. Hot 97 is the premier Hip Hop radio station in America. It's where most of the hot new hip-hop artists today got their first airplay.
92.3 - "current rock"
WXRK - K-Rock. Used to be classic rock, back in the day. What makes this station special? The home of Howard Stern. Overall #1 morning show in the country, and still #1 in NY for the middle age male demographic, period.
When "XM kills off" (as you say) Howard Stern completely in the morning drive, I'll personally be happy to drop a 50 pound brick onto my genitals. Why? Cause I'm 100% sure that'll never happen.
Re:radio is dead (Score:3, Insightful)
that's just the way it is.
radio is dead. get used to it already.
Conform! (Score:4, Insightful)
Ok, fine great. The problem was, in an effort to make the station more like a real station, the graduate student controlling this mess enforced a series of strict rules and a rigid playlist. The station is now no better than the Clear channel crap that dominates the airwaves.
Reading this article made me laugh because I witnessed this entire history of FM radio they describe over the course of my five years at school. It went from the playground of the stoners, to the perfect mix of a format guideline, but free dj's to the utter crap you hear on every station now.
Strictly formatted radio, mostly brought on by Clear channel type monoliths, is the evil that is ruining, not just radio, but all of music in america. Have a guideline for the DJ's, but let them expand out of it. Expose the listeners to something different. Play something that they haven't heard in a very long time. Throw on the Smiths just to play with someone's head.
The first thing I always did at the start of my shift was go down my playlist for the day and cross out everything by the Kottonmouth Kings. IMHO the worst thing to hit the radio in the last 5 years. I tried to fill in the crap I hated with listener requests, but on slow days, I had to fill in my own stuff.
On the off days, when students weren't around, the station would go to an automated playlist (a computer with a giant database of mp3s). Immediately, our listenership dropped like a rock. There was no life to the station, and this is why I don't see XM taking off.
Where am I going? DJ's are what's important. The listeners like having someone familiar on the air. Each DJ used to have their own flavor. Mine was a little broader, but my selection leaned to harder rocking songs. People liked the interaction with the DJ, and it got listeners. Calling in made them feel like part of it. Dj's are your friend who introduce you to this crazy new band who has a different sound. You should see them live!
I love music. I go see small live shows whenever I can (unemployment has killed this pastime unfortunately). Radio today has me very pissed off because nobody is introducing me to new stuff. I'm completely on my own.
And right now I'm listening to RL Burnside - Ass Pocket of Whiskey
Re:Xm/Am/Fm/ClearM (Score:2, Insightful)
You need to get out into the world more. I find the national NPR shows to have a very strong conservative bias. Not as in-your-face as CNN, but quite strong nonetheless.
College radio! (Score:3, Insightful)
And now, a shameless plug for the station I am involved with, where you don't often hear something that ClearChannel would play: KWUR 90.3FM [wustl.edu]. Since you probably aren't within our rather small broadcast radius (10 watt transmitter) you can listen to our MP3 streams.
Re:XM Sux, Siriusly (Score:1, Insightful)
Remember, everyone runs to the USA whenever a earthquake, hurricane or dicator causes problems.
Most of the countries that "hate" us, also speak English, use American electronics or hardware, drive on the right-side of the road, drink Starbucks coffee or Coke and would probably imigrate here in a heartbeat.
Re:Support Public Radio (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes, but their bias is no worse than other major outlets (Wash. Post, Fox News, etc.). If you set your mental filter accordingly, it's plain that the NPR news content is far superior to anything else on radio or TV (except maybe C-SPAN), if only for the single reason that they don't assume that their listeners are morons.
-- Brian
college radio (Score:2, Insightful)
Food for thought, i talked to a local top40 station, and asked them how they pick their new hot artists, they said "we just look at the top ten college charts, and pick 3 off of there". Go figure...
Re:Support Public Radio (Score:5, Insightful)
As for the bias, it's there, but they do a relatively good job of presenting differing opinions, and finding people who can offer differing insights into various issues. Their "left-wing bias" managed to feel relatively neutral about president shrub's proposed tax cut, whereas before I listened to them, I was completely against it.
Perhaps you only think it's left-wing bias because you normally get your news from extreme right-wing organizations, such as Fox News?
Yes, please kill radio already! (Score:5, Insightful)
Anyway, I hope that the death of FM will mean that reserving a band will become cheaper, and so more weird and interesting shit will start happening on FM. I want like 3 channels of NPR, because though most of their original content is awesome, some of the filler is too dumb to listen to. And really, how expensive is it to record and rebroadcast interviews with interesting people? That's the sort of stuff NPR does well, and they are the only reason why I would ever turn on the radio at home. I hope that some non-publically-funded radio would try to compete with NPR for this sort of turf (like the Discovery and History Channels on cable compete with PBS) but before that happens, the barriers to entry have to be lower. That's why I'm praying for the day that music gets removed from FM and space opens up for real interesting stuff.
Until then, at least there's college radio!
Sounds like the genesis of MTV, the Labels, etc... (Score:5, Insightful)
A British perspective (Score:2, Insightful)
There's a feedback circle with Day-time commercial radio at the moment - everyone expects it to be bad so it is, only the BBC is worth considering imho.
BBC Radio 4 (talk, very, very popular) , Radio2 (anything proven to be popular, and stuff everyone's parent seems 2 listen 2) and BBC1 (new) also very popular, all without any from of ads at all. In my area there's also one called Wave that uses local based ads and sponsers, Classic FM, Jazz FM, a Sports and commetry Only Radio and Dance/Trance too, 2CR=new, too many commercials and losing 2 Wave. There's even a seasonal radio that operates to our small town.
Although `The Radio Still Sucks` it seems to be better here than elsewhere I've stayed.
Radio is impossible, you can't please everyone. for example, I don't even know what I want when I turn on radio in terms of artists, i'm often hoping for inspiration - or localised info.
Re:Support Public Radio (Score:5, Insightful)
Ah, yes, what I refer to as "the truth." That's my favorite part of NPR. Quite the refreshing change from all that right-wing propaganda about how we have to destroy "Saaddam Huusayn" before he destroys us.
NPR is the only thing worth listening to on radio. If I can't get NPR, I switch to "off." I sure as hell am not going to pay XM $10/month for muzak.
Crispin
----
Crispin Cowan, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist, WireX Communications, Inc. [wirex.com]
Immunix: [immunix.org] Security Hardened Linux Distribution
Available for purchase [wirex.com]
XM Radio is fantastic... (Score:4, Insightful)
I'll tell you, when the bills come due at the end of the month, the only two I have no issues at all paying are Tivo and XM.
Killer app (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:It's too late.... (Score:2, Insightful)