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A History Of Radio
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Published: September 27, 2006
Radio has come a long way since it premiered in 1894. It has been the most widely used medium for broadcasting recorded music to the general public. Today, commercial radio is being challenged by digital technology. The digital age has brought numerous advances in recorded music technology, the most popular being MP3 digital files.
Commercial radio's listeners have been steadily decreasing due to the success of digital file sharing through the Internet and satellite technology. As a result, commercial radio is transforming in order to adapt to digital technology.
Presently, commercial radio faces rising competition from Internet music sites and satellite music companies. Popular Internet music sites include Yahoo!, MSN, iTunes, America Online, and independent blogs. These sites feature music and video podcasts that can be recorded or downloaded onto desktops, laptops, and handheld digital receivers like Apple's iPod. Popular satellite companies include Sirius and XM. These sites feature a variety of music stations based on a variety of styles and offer over 100 music, sports, weather, news, and talk show channels.
There are many reasons listeners prefer Internet music sites and satellite music companies over radio. One reason is that both offer little or no commercial and advertising interruptions. Second, many listeners complain that commercial radio has become too repetitive and standardized. In contrast, Internet music sites and satellite music companies offer a variety of music and allow listeners to customize the music to their preferences. Also, both are not limited to specific programming schedules and signal range. Instead, listeners are able to access music programs and shows at anytime and on portable digital devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, and stereos.
Commercial radio has responded to these digital challenges with development of high definition (HD) radio. HD radio will offer music at a higher sound quality than digital files, more akin to CD quality. It is also being developed to include features similar to the cable recording device, TiVo. Listeners will have the ability to store music and other programs and also receive music content on demand. Major companies plan to install 2,500 HD stations by the year 2010.
Many critics argue that continued innovations in digital technology will result in the death of commercial radio. The Internet and digital technology help to make music more accessible to the public. It also allows listeners to determine their own content instead of what industry leaders consider to be commercially appealing. However, the success of digital technology has caused major companies to reexamine areas that have longed been overlooked. Commercial radio can still remain relevant as long as it is willing to adapt and heeds the desires of its listeners.
Green, Heather and Lowry, Tom and Yang, Catherine. The New Radio Revolution. 3 Mar. 2005. Business Week. 31 Aug. 2006. [http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/ma r2005/tc2005033_0336_tc024.htm]
Stimson, Leslie. '05 Radio Trends: Connectivity, Portability. 5 Jan. 2005. RW Online: Radio World Newspaper. 31 Aug. 2006. [http://www.rwonline.com/reference-room/special-re port/04_rw_radios_1.shtm]
Related Articles
Presently, commercial radio faces rising competition from Internet music sites and satellite music companies. Popular Internet music sites include Yahoo!, MSN, iTunes, America Online, and independent blogs. These sites feature music and video podcasts that can be recorded or downloaded onto desktops, laptops, and handheld digital receivers like Apple's iPod. Popular satellite companies include Sirius and XM. These sites feature a variety of music stations based on a variety of styles and offer over 100 music, sports, weather, news, and talk show channels.
There are many reasons listeners prefer Internet music sites and satellite music companies over radio. One reason is that both offer little or no commercial and advertising interruptions. Second, many listeners complain that commercial radio has become too repetitive and standardized. In contrast, Internet music sites and satellite music companies offer a variety of music and allow listeners to customize the music to their preferences. Also, both are not limited to specific programming schedules and signal range. Instead, listeners are able to access music programs and shows at anytime and on portable digital devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, and stereos.
Commercial radio has responded to these digital challenges with development of high definition (HD) radio. HD radio will offer music at a higher sound quality than digital files, more akin to CD quality. It is also being developed to include features similar to the cable recording device, TiVo. Listeners will have the ability to store music and other programs and also receive music content on demand. Major companies plan to install 2,500 HD stations by the year 2010.
Many critics argue that continued innovations in digital technology will result in the death of commercial radio. The Internet and digital technology help to make music more accessible to the public. It also allows listeners to determine their own content instead of what industry leaders consider to be commercially appealing. However, the success of digital technology has caused major companies to reexamine areas that have longed been overlooked. Commercial radio can still remain relevant as long as it is willing to adapt and heeds the desires of its listeners.
Green, Heather and Lowry, Tom and Yang, Catherine. The New Radio Revolution. 3 Mar. 2005. Business Week. 31 Aug. 2006. [http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/ma r2005/tc2005033_0336_tc024.htm]
Stimson, Leslie. '05 Radio Trends: Connectivity, Portability. 5 Jan. 2005. RW Online: Radio World Newspaper. 31 Aug. 2006. [http://www.rwonline.com/reference-room/special-re port/04_rw_radios_1.shtm]
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