The Epic Decline of Radio

So i listen to the radio every single morning on my way to work, my fav show is Rover's Morning Glory, and they always are on top of some really good coverage, but this morning they just kinda jabbered about the downfall of radio and it made realize how true it was.

an estimated 65% of all radio is top 40 which means Beyonce, JT, Kanye, and stuff like that plays ALL the time. Alternative Rock stations are dropping like flies. New York City (check on this one for sure, this is just what i heard) doesnt even have an alternative rock station anymore. Talk shows are dropping just as fast. The worst part is everyone is buzzing over satellite radio, but satellite radio just offers more of the exact same repetitive stuff that you can find on all these top 40 stations. Now i will say that satellite does open up the unique side of radio with all of the different stuff out there. The Playboy channel is freakin hilarious.

But really, radio is becomming a conformity of top 40 and thats it.

Satellite radio is waaay better than FM radio. Our alternative rock station in DC went under a few years ago, I got a satellite tuner installed, and never looked back.Engrish_Major

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"]Satellite radio is waaay better than FM radio. Our alternative rock station in DC went under a few years ago, I got a satellite tuner installed, and never looked back.Jandurin

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Engrish_Major"]Satellite radio is waaay better than FM radio. Our alternative rock station in DC went under a few years ago, I got a satellite tuner installed, and never looked back.Engrish_Major

I remember going to the HFStival in 1999 :(Jandurin

Who played at that one? I went to a bunch of them in the 90s... I remember camping out for them because they would sell out in like 30 minutes!Engrish_Major

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"]Who played at that one? I went to a bunch of them in the 90s... I remember camping out for them because they would sell out in like 30 minutes!Jandurin

Radio sucks, but that's why they put that CD player in your car.

but who cares about Orgy now?Engrish_Major

I only listen to the radio when i'm in the car.

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"] but who cares about Orgy now?Jandurin

Many, many stations. My last car, I got a receiver installed, but it came already in my new car. For alternative fans, there is a regular alternative station (My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Coldplay), an indie/college station (Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, M83), a 90's grunge station (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam), and an 80's alt station (Police, Echo and Bunnymen), a Garage station that plays stuff like BRMC and the Birds, among others. There are many more rock and metal stations that I don't listen to. See the rock channels here. There are also news, comedy, and real-time traffic channels.
It works everywhere, so when you travel, you don't have to find new stations. The music stations have no commercials. It's digital too, so it tells you on the unit who is playing and the song title. It's like $10/month. Worth it to me.

Radio sucks, but that's why they put that CD player in your car.

DazedDarkness

:shock::evil: Radio does not "suck". hmph.

i listen to a classic rock station, a detroit area station. they used to have a good morning show that still played music but it was replaced with an all talk show for 4 hours (talk is not classic rock). but the thing i like is that they have a no repeat work week, you don't hear the same songs multiple times in an hour (when i'm in my friends car and he listens to rap/hip hop i have heard the same song multiple times in the span of just one hour), only once a week during the day.

Radio has been dead for years. It's all preprogrammed music that the business thinks the mainstream wants. Best to find your own music. Only have radio on at work. And statistically only about 2% of the music is good per day. Meh....

Satellite radio is waaay better than FM radio. Our alternative rock station in DC went under a few years ago, I got a satellite tuner installed, and never looked back.Engrish_Major

i listen to a classic rock station, a detroit area station. they used to have a good morning show that still played music but it was replaced with an all talk show for 4 hours (talk is not classic rock).shoeman12

i hate radio. the ads are annoying most of the time and like you said, its usually top 40's...which is crap..

i would probably listen to a purely metal station but basic doesnt have it

i like talkshows though.

[QUOTE="shoeman12"]i listen to a classic rock station, a detroit area station. they used to have a good morning show that still played music but it was replaced with an all talk show for 4 hours (talk is not classic rock).Bane_v2

in D.C i listened to some rock station usualy they play some good music, sometimes bad, but thats life, everything is not always gonna appeal to you, its what the mass majority wants that makes the cut......anyway without the rock station in D.C i probably would have never heard the greatness that is Alice in Chains - Would, and the other station i listen to is some "Black station" where they play all the R&B......ya know ? the MoNique show comes on etc......i forget exactly what station it was it maybe 95.5 im not sure and another station i listen to when in D.C is one that plays go go :P

in D.C i listened to some rock station usualy they play some good music, sometimes bad, but thats life, everything is not always gonna appeal to you, its what the mass majority wants that makes the cut......anyway without the rock station in D.C i probably would have never heard the greatness that is Alice in Chains - Would, and the other station i listen to is some "Black station" where they play all the R&B......ya know ? the MoNique show comes on etc......i forget exactly what station it was it maybe 95.5 im not sure

Euroshinobi

You know, I could say that radio shot itself in the foot, which I believe, but just for the sake of argument, lets take a look at the circumstances.

What do the overwhelming majority of people who listen to radio listen to on the radio? Garbage. What is it that most of these stations provide?

CD's were a revolution in music technology oh so many years ago, and surpassed audio quality of radio without trying. Many people wished to listen to their music over what was playing on the air because its gone downhill with music since 2000. Some would say earlier, and I would have to agree to some degree, but 90's music was AWESOME.

Add the iPod and the MP3 player and you just struck radio with a pretty decisive blow. You either cater to the majority of listeners or you go under.

I will say this, when I'm in the shower or even sometimes on the drive, I'll throw on oldies because for the most part, I never have to worry about some garbage title making its way to my ears that I despise.

If you had an MP3 player with every single song you owned on it, that could be constantly switched out and tailored to your tastes, along with downloading new tracks daily, would you ever listen to radio again?

Radio will always be around, but diversity has been gone for a while.

Only Top 40 hits and right-wing nutjobs sell on the radio.

Radio will always be around, but diversity has been gone for a while.

Only Top 40 hits and right-wing nutjobs sell on the radio.

LosDaddie

You know, I could say that radio shot itself in the foot, which I believe, but just for the sake of argument, lets take a look at the circumstances.

What do the overwhelming majority of people who listen to radio listen to on the radio? Garbage. What is it that most of these stations provide?

CD's were a revolution in music technology oh so many years ago, and surpassed audio quality of radio without trying. Many people wished to listen to their music over what was playing on the air because its gone downhill with music since 2000. Some would say earlier, and I would have to agree to some degree, but 90's music was AWESOME.

Add the iPod and the MP3 player and you just struck radio with a pretty decisive blow. You either cater to the majority of listeners or you go under.

I will say this, when I'm in the shower or even sometimes on the drive, I'll throw on oldies because for the most part, I never have to worry about some garbage title making its way to my ears that I despise.

If you had an MP3 player with every single song you owned on it, that could be constantly switched out and tailored to your tastes, along with downloading new tracks daily, would you ever listen to radio again?

starfox15

Before CD's there were ways to listen to music without radio as well. CD's didn't actually change anything. Instead of records or cassettes CD's were bought but the buying public already existed.

MP3's are a segment of the population but there are many that don't have them still. And many that still purchase CD's and put that music on their MP3. The problem is technology allows for piracy which eats into the purchasing of music.

[QUOTE="LosDaddie"]

Radio will always be around, but diversity has been gone for a while.

Only Top 40 hits and right-wing nutjobs sell on the radio.

Engrish_Major

That's a tough one to decide.

Both make me want to punch my windshield :x

[QUOTE="starfox15"]

You know, I could say that radio shot itself in the foot, which I believe, but just for the sake of argument, lets take a look at the circumstances.

What do the overwhelming majority of people who listen to radio listen to on the radio? Garbage. What is it that most of these stations provide?

CD's were a revolution in music technology oh so many years ago, and surpassed audio quality of radio without trying. Many people wished to listen to their music over what was playing on the air because its gone downhill with music since 2000. Some would say earlier, and I would have to agree to some degree, but 90's music was AWESOME.

Add the iPod and the MP3 player and you just struck radio with a pretty decisive blow. You either cater to the majority of listeners or you go under.

I will say this, when I'm in the shower or even sometimes on the drive, I'll throw on oldies because for the most part, I never have to worry about some garbage title making its way to my ears that I despise.

If you had an MP3 player with every single song you owned on it, that could be constantly switched out and tailored to your tastes, along with downloading new tracks daily, would you ever listen to radio again?

LJS9502_basic

Before CD's there were ways to listen to music without radio as well. CD's didn't actually change anything. Instead of records or cassettes CD's were bought but the buying public already existed.

MP3's are a segment of the population but there are many that don't have them still. And many that still purchase CD's and put that music on their MP3. The problem is technology allows for piracy which eats into the purchasing of music.

I agree with you. Having said that, they've been doing this for years. I know that and you know that. Now throw in any form of competition and you see my point. There was no such thing as an LP player in a vehicle unless you had one ridiculously swank ride. The vehicle is the No. 1 form of vessel that radio is listened to. I would say that with the invention of the car cassette deck, radio's popularity dwindles as adversely as transportable media grows.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="starfox15"]

You know, I could say that radio shot itself in the foot, which I believe, but just for the sake of argument, lets take a look at the circumstances.

What do the overwhelming majority of people who listen to radio listen to on the radio? Garbage. What is it that most of these stations provide?

CD's were a revolution in music technology oh so many years ago, and surpassed audio quality of radio without trying. Many people wished to listen to their music over what was playing on the air because its gone downhill with music since 2000. Some would say earlier, and I would have to agree to some degree, but 90's music was AWESOME.

Add the iPod and the MP3 player and you just struck radio with a pretty decisive blow. You either cater to the majority of listeners or you go under.

I will say this, when I'm in the shower or even sometimes on the drive, I'll throw on oldies because for the most part, I never have to worry about some garbage title making its way to my ears that I despise.

If you had an MP3 player with every single song you owned on it, that could be constantly switched out and tailored to your tastes, along with downloading new tracks daily, would you ever listen to radio again?

starfox15

Before CD's there were ways to listen to music without radio as well. CD's didn't actually change anything. Instead of records or cassettes CD's were bought but the buying public already existed.

MP3's are a segment of the population but there are many that don't have them still. And many that still purchase CD's and put that music on their MP3. The problem is technology allows for piracy which eats into the purchasing of music.

I agree with you. Having said that, they've been doing this for years. I know that and you know that. Now throw in any form of competition and you see my point. There was no such thing as an LP player in a vehicle unless you had one ridiculously swank ride. The vehicle is the No. 1 form of vessel that radio is listened to. I would say that with the invention of the car cassette deck, radio's popularity dwindles as adversely as transportable media grows.

There still are good radio stations. The successful ones maybe have gone horribly mainstream and diversity-free but you can't say the radio is dead.

I hear tell they had 8 tracks before cassette. Anyway, you could record your LP to a cassette if you so desired. Radio isn't going anywhere.

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

I hear tell they had 8 tracks before cassette. Anyway, you could record your LP to a cassette if you so desired. Radio isn't going anywhere.

xaos

I'm going to make a radical statement, and say that "free" radio not based on talk, news, or NPR, will be gone in 30 years. I hope to be proved wrong and I hope you rub this in my face. I'll still be on this site, trolling, valiantly, because the people deserve it.

They just put internet into the first mass-market BMW vehicle. Something to think about.

Touche with the 8-track by the way! :lol:

Working at GameStop killed the radio for me. We were supposed to play a selection of music GameStop sent us, but no one cared about that and as long as we didn't play any music with cursing in it, our managers were fine with whatever we put on. Well, we always seemed to tune in to a local station which plays a mix of Alternative Rock, Rap/Hip-hop and R&B. You'd think such a mixture would lead to some diversity in the songs. Well, you'd be wrong. It seemed like they had an endless loop of the same ten songs playing over and over again. There was Soulja Boy (whom I utterly despise), Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl, Flo Rida's Low, etc. all songs I grew to despise (or already despised, in the case of Low and...anything made by Soulja Boy) after having to listen to them endlessly day after freaking day.

Now, I can't stand to listen to the radio, even in the car. Now, I either listen to CDs or plug in my Zune for listening to music on the go. This way, I hear nothing but the music I want to hear without any commercials or interruptions. It's a great setup if I do say so myself.

Video Killed the Radio Star :( lulzJandurin

Reality TV killed the Video Star

[QUOTE="Euroshinobi"]

in D.C i listened to some rock station usualy they play some good music, sometimes bad, but thats life, everything is not always gonna appeal to you, its what the mass majority wants that makes the cut......anyway without the rock station in D.C i probably would have never heard the greatness that is Alice in Chains - Would, and the other station i listen to is some "Black station" where they play all the R&B......ya know ? the MoNique show comes on etc......i forget exactly what station it was it maybe 95.5 im not sure

Jandurin

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Euroshinobi"]

in D.C i listened to some rock station usualy they play some good music, sometimes bad, but thats life, everything is not always gonna appeal to you, its what the mass majority wants that makes the cut......anyway without the rock station in D.C i probably would have never heard the greatness that is Alice in Chains - Would, and the other station i listen to is some "Black station" where they play all the R&B......ya know ? the MoNique show comes on etc......i forget exactly what station it was it maybe 95.5 im not sure

Euroshinobi

Alright, so the first thing said by the TC is that he enjoyed listening to the DJs on the morning show on his FM radio, right? Now, I bet that's because those DJs were able to relate to you in a personal manner, and made you feel important. They talked about the world, but related it in a way that made you feel included. You know why they can do that? because they're local. Satellite radio has a wider variety of music, true... but it can't possibly be as personal because it all comes from a few select cities across the country. It will never relate to you personally... so if you want to hear about a big concert event in your city or about a traffic delay on your commute, FM is still the best.

Satellite radio is fighting for it's life right now. Both Sirius and XM are looking for buyers right now, and may go under before 2010. Listenership is higher than expected for Satellite... but keep in mind that a lot of people get it for free with a new car. How many people will pay $250/year when something similar is available for free?

the fact that Top 40 is so popular is NOT the fault of radio exclusively. Radio goes where the money is... and money is made by getting the biggest portion of the listeners. the more listeners a station has, the more it can charge for it's commercials (and the more commercials it'll sell). So basically, if the average listener wanted more alternative music, more alternative music stations would exist.

There is a movement in a format called Triple-A right now (AAA = Adult Album Alternative). They play a lot of lesser known music, mixed in with the hits. It's really taking off in Canada right now, with 7 new stations in the format starting this year.

As a music director in radio, it's a struggle. I have to balance the hits with what's cool and new. If I only play the latest music, I'll scare off a lot of listeners... who will then turn to my competitors for their fix of The Hits. And I'll lose my job. But I love new music... so I put in as much new as I can, which is less than I'd like, but more than most.

TV stations in smaller communities are shutting down across Canada right now, in part because of the economy. And guess who's picking up the slack? Radio. Like us or not, Radio is going to be around for years to come.

^^^HD radio is free, has no commercials and is specialized as well. If I must put radio on I choose the alternative station's HD2 which is 80's alt and switch between the two depending on current music.

-starman-

[QUOTE="-starman-"]Jandurin

too much talk and personalties thinking they are funny.

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="-starman-"]LJS9502_basic

Ironically I hate the morning drive time most of all.....too much talk and personalties thinking they are funny.LJS9502_basic