Radio Programming News

by Milvionne Chery, Kaira Cooper, Jude Gesek, Charles Roth

1.1. Introduction:

Radio was the first electronic entertainment device. Before there were computers and televisions, people would gather around the radio to listen to music, radio shows, news, and sports. As decades past and technology transformed, people found new devices to occupy their spare time. However, radio never failed to disappear. Stations began to produce content that is geared towards a specific group of people instead of a mass audience. The content that is on a radio station is all under the umbrella of radio programming.

2.1. Radio Regulations:

Under the Communications Act, the FCC has that right to govern broadcast operations. On the other hand, Section 326 of the Act states that the FCC has neither the right nor the power to control radio programming. However, there are rules when it comes to political advertising, obscenity and indecency. Besides that radio stations are free to program whatever they choose, which would be called their format.

3.1. Mergers of Fall 2011:

There are numerous aspects that can change the programming of a radio station. The program manager of a station can change the station’s schedule, which includes substitutions in the musical mix, reformatting several time periods, and moving on-air personalities to different parts of the day. Drastic changes such as the merger of two major communications corporations can also change up the programming of a radio station. In September 2011, Citadel Broadcasting (the third ranked owner of radio stations) merged with Cumulus Broadcasting (the second ranked owner of radio stations). This allowed Cumulus to now reach people in about 120 markets and own 572 radio stations. However, Cumulus is still ranked second to Clear Channel that has over 800 radio stations. With this deal Cumulus now owns more radio stations in Michigan than any other company. Below is a list of the current three largest group owners by radio stations.

1. Clear Channel – 850 Stations
2. Cumulus Broadcasting – 572 Stations
3. CBS Radio – 130 Stations

3.2. Effects:

3.2.1. Employment:

With this merger, many radio stations fired several on-air personalities and staffers. The Hollywood Reporter reports that about 27 staffers from KABC and KLOS in Los Angeles were let go because of this merger. One of the staffers let go was the country’s last commercial freeform jock Jim Ladd. Jim Ladd departure cause KLOS to move around its schedule and have Jack Silver serve as program director of both KABC and KLOS. Other on-air personalities have also been let go because of this merger, including Kevin Matthews of LAV-97 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and News/Talk WJR-AM (760) laid off anchors Donna Barbera and Dayna Clark. However, they did say that On November 28, 2011, Clear Channel announced plans to join forces with Cumulus radio to market “Sweet Jack” (a Groupon type website). The Cumulus website will be marketed on Clear Channel radio stations. In turn Cumulus will provide its radio content to Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio internet application. Programming changes also occurred in NPR, where Michele Norris, co-host of NPR’s “All Things Considered resigns after her husband accepts a position on Obama’s 2012 campaign. Another NPR host leaves, but this time it wasn’t her choice.

4.1. Clear Channel:

Clear channel has responded to the merger of Citadel and Cumulus by laying off staffers. They also announced a new National Programming team.

5.1. Satellite vs Terrestrial Radio :

In recent years, terrestrial radio has been in a ratings decline. The traditional AM/FM set up is being supplanted slightly by Satellite radio, MP3 players, podcasts and CDs. Reasons suspected for this change are the increase in popularity towards alternative entertainment and a belief held by some that regular radio has stagnated somewhat. Many have reported a preference for satellite radio because of niche formatting and it being commercial free. The decrease is seen among the valuable ages 18 – 34 demographic.

Dial Global Completes Merger With Westwood One; Creates Leading Network Radio Company

A great article about the merger of Dial Global with Westwood One, there will be a more diverse radio programming option, more than 200 radio programs and services to over 7,000. This merge took place on October 24, 2011.

For more information click the following link to read the article:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dial-global-completes-merger-with-westwood-one-creates-leading-network-radio-company-132328113.html

Michele Norris Steps Down From NPR

Michele Norris, co-host of NPR’s “All Things Considered resigns after her husband accepts a position on Obama’s 2012 campaign.

For more infomation click the following link to read the article:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/npr-michele-norris-obama-252595

NPR Freelance Radio Host Fired Over Protest Involvement

Another NPR host leaves, but this time it wasn’t her choice.