Showing papers in "Journal of Radio & Audio Media in 2008"
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TL;DR: Researchers study how 43 people in key positions related to the radio industry in four European countries and Canada view the future of radio and which delivery technologies they consider will be most successful and analyzes the motives and reasons why certain technologies are seen as more promising.
Abstract: The future of radio is now much less obvious and clear than it appeared 10 years ago. Instead of a transition from analog to digital audio broadcasting (DAB), there is a selection of alternative technological options for digital audio delivery. This article studies how 43 people in key positions related to the radio industry in four European countries and Canada view the future of radio and which delivery technologies they consider will be most successful. In addition, it analyzes the motives and reasons why certain technologies are seen as more promising. Finally, it presents different future scenarios for radio media.
43 citations
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TL;DR: It is concluded that two-way contact in digital communication systems is accompanied by more detailed registration and data about the individuals who communicate, and this is an irresolvable dilemma when using digital media for individual participation in public communication.
Abstract: There are a number of communication technologies that challenge analog broadcasting; mainly digital broadcasting, mobile phone networks and various types of audiovisual media on the Internet. Compared to the old broadcasting paradigm, these media have better sound and image quality, more versatile reception features, and interactive services for listeners. But is there an improvement in the opportunities for audience participation? This article evaluates a number of different media platforms according to the terms of access set by providers and the techniques of participation available for citizens. We conclude that two-way contact in digital communication systems is accompanied by more detailed registration and data about the individuals who communicate, and we consider this an irresolvable dilemma when using digital media for individual participation in public communication.
28 citations
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TL;DR: Although traditional radio stations were more likely to transmit live and archived sound than other media, all traditional media Web sites have held back from developing interactivity beyond e-mail, and have limited the transmission of streaming media, as well as archived audio and video content.
Abstract: This study compares the radio industry's use of interactivity to that of other traditional media on the Web such as newspapers and television stations, along the dimensions of audience-oriented interactivity and source-oriented interactivity. A content analysis of 112 traditional radio station Web sites, 282 traditional newspaper Web sites, and 128 traditional television station Web sites found that traditional radio station Web sites provided more audience-oriented interactivity compared to other traditional media Web sites, and traditional newspaper Web sites offered the most source-oriented interactivity. A general conclusion of this study is that although traditional radio stations were more likely to transmit live and archived sound than other media, all traditional media Web sites have held back from developing interactivity beyond e-mail, and have limited the transmission of streaming media, as well as archived audio and video content.
14 citations
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TL;DR: This paper contrasts the different policy contexts of 1995 and 2006 and argues that the competing technological options for digital audio delivery now pose significant dilemmas for broadcasters and policy makers.
Abstract: Digital radio policy in Canada has moved from a position of seeking to migrate all radio broadcasting onto a single digital transmission system (Eureka-147) to a multi-platform, cross-media and multimedia approach The most recent digital radio policy of 2006 suggests a range of new possibilities for radio broadcasting, including multimedia broadcasting, but as a result has compromised the early adoption of the Eureka-147 standard This paper contrasts the different policy contexts of 1995 and 2006 and argues that the competing technological options for digital audio delivery now pose significant dilemmas for broadcasters and policy makers
12 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of instrumental background music on subjects' opinions of the candidate in a political radio commercial were investigated. But no significant effect was found on the likelihood to vote for the candidate.
Abstract: This experimental study tested the effects of instrumental background music on subjects' opinions of the candidate in a political radio commercial. Democrats hearing a Democratic candidate commercial without music considered it more issue-oriented than those hearing it with music. No significant effects were found in Republicans. Controlling for party affiliation, results showed a significant correlation between subjects' perceiving the spot as issue-oriented and their stated intention to vote for the candidate. Subjects hearing the spot with music were more likely to consider the spot “well done,” but this did not translate into a statistically significant preference for the candidate.
7 citations
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TL;DR: The number of radio stations with Christian formats has nearly tripled in this time frame, surpassing all other formats as discussed by the authors, due to a combination of factors, including changes in FCC channel allocation and licensing policies, innovations in software to identify available frequencies and plot coverage areas, the popularity of Contemporary Christian Music, the growth of Evangelical Christianity and conservative political organizations, and the dedicated efforts of many broadcasters who want Christian Radio to happen now.
Abstract: There is no segment of the broadcasting industry growing as rapidly as Christian Radio has since 1990. The number of radio stations with Christian formats has nearly tripled in this time frame, surpassing all other formats. This remarkable growth is due to a combination of factors, including changes in FCC channel allocation and licensing policies, innovations in software to identify available frequencies and plot coverage areas, the popularity of Contemporary Christian Music, the growth of Evangelical Christianity and conservative political organizations, and the dedicated efforts of many broadcasters who want Christian Radio to happen now.
6 citations
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TL;DR: The authors examined trust in public radio and talk radio as sources for local news and found that the relationship between ideology and trust was stronger among highly educated respondents than among the less educated, while trust in talk radio was lower than trust in television or newspapers.
Abstract: This study uses original survey data (N = 937) to examine trust in public radio and talk radio as sources for local news. Respondents expressed higher levels of trust in public radio than in talk radio. Trust in public radio was lower than trust in television but greater than trust in Internet sites, while trust in talk radio was lower than trust in television or newspapers. Compared to liberals, conservatives reported less trust in public radio but greater trust in talk radio. The relationships between ideology and trust were stronger among highly educated respondents than among the less educated.
6 citations
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TL;DR: The authors reexamine the historical role of KDKA, focusing on the maintenance and reinforcement of what they call "the KDKA myth" to examine how KDKA has managed its primacy claim throughout the station's history.
Abstract: Popular recountings of radio's past tend to begin with KDKA's November 2, 1920 broadcast of the Coolidge-Harding election returns, in effect deligitimizing the complex pre-commercial period in American broadcasting. The effects of this are apparent in the neglect of the pre-commercial period in popular and scholarly histories of radio. In contributing to the bourgeoning body of revisionist work in radio scholarship, this essay reexamines the historical role of KDKA, Pittsburgh. Primarily, I focus on the maintenance and reinforcement of what I call “the KDKA myth” to examine how KDKA has managed its primacy claim throughout the station's history.
5 citations
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TL;DR: A close examination of Vic and Sade's depiction of mass entertainment, specifically film, periodicals, and popular fiction, demonstrates that the program advanced its own critique of mass culture, one coming from the perspective of the masses and directed toward a mass audience as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The popular comedic serial Vic and Sade can be viewed in relation to the mass culture critique, a series of criticisms advanced by twentieth century public intellectuals for the benefit of other intellectuals against the alleged negative impacts of mass entertainment, particularly radio, and other aspects of mass culture. A close examination of Vic and Sade's depiction of mass entertainment, specifically film, periodicals, and popular fiction, demonstrates that the program advanced its own critique of mass culture, one coming from the perspective of the masses and directed toward a mass audience.
5 citations
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TL;DR: This article argued that economic and normative pressures constrain the content more than legal sanctions, and compared the termination of Don Imus from WFAN in New York City following racially motivated comments that could not have been considered indecent.
Abstract: Only one sports-talk radio station has ever been subject to an indecency enforcement action, WGR in Buffalo, NY. However, the Federal Communications Commission did not impose disciplinary penalties. This article compares that incident with the termination of Don Imus from WFAN in New York City following racially motivated comments that could not have been considered indecent. Both of these incidents occurred when “guy talk” became offensive to the larger public. While indecency regulations have helped to place some general limits on the sports-talk format, this article argues that economic and normative pressures constrain the content more than legal sanctions.
4 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, Malik and Pavarala examine the struggle for community radio by providing a comparative analysis of policy frameworks in other countries such as Australia, Ireland, South Africa, Canada and the United States.
Abstract: India’s radio industry is something of a paradox: the world’s largest democracy restricts its citizens’ rights to broadcast independent radio programming on the airwaves. India has only very recently afforded the medium of radio some democratic freedoms that Indian television and newspapers have had for decades. Emerging from colonial independence as a country with tremendous potential, India has been slow to realize that potential when it comes to its radio industry. The authors of this book seek to understand why India has struggled to allow community radio stations in a country that has eagerly embraced change and deregulation in so many other areas of society and industry. Malik and Pavarala’s text is perhaps the best explanation yet of why that struggle continues today. The text is divided into eight chapters, including the conclusion. There are also five appendixes detailing the relevant court judgments and policy initiatives concerning community radio over the last thirteen years. The authors approach this subject through a primarily qualitative methodology. Through the examination and analysis of historical documents, four case studies of community radio initiatives funded by NGOs and development organizations, and in-depth and open-ended interviews and focus groups within the four case study communities, the authors are able to explain the struggles that community radio faces in India, but also present an argument for its importance. The authors posit to ‘‘analyze the ferment for community radio in India’’ and examine ‘‘the extent to which community radio contributes to effectively enhancing access to information and the process of selfexpression, public dialogue, collective action and empowerment’’ (p. 38). In addition to recounting the history of Indian government policy toward community radio, in Chapter 2, Malik and Pavarala examine the struggle for community radio by providing a comparative analysis of policy frameworks in other countries such as Australia, Ireland, South Africa, Canada and the United States. The authors identify the defining aspect of community radio stations in these countries being ‘‘that community radio stations not be run for the purpose of making financial profit’’ (p. 71). Crucially, these community radio stations also produce programming that serves their specific community. The plethora of rights enjoyed by community broadcasters in other countries only accentuates the lack of them in India. Chapter 4 examines four case studies of NGOs in India and their community radio initiatives to demonstrate how programming content is a reflection of the views and events that occur within those communities. In Chapters 5 and 6 the authors frame the struggle for community radio within the context of participatory communication enabling social change. The authors write
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TL;DR: The authors found support for the Schwartz (1994) two-value political ideology model in relation to political talk radio (PTR) program choice and developed a model which could predict PTR listening based on audience values.
Abstract: This study found support for the Schwartz (1994) two-value political ideology model in relation to political talk radio (PTR) program choice. People who listened to liberal PTR hosts were found to be associated with “universalism.” People who listened to conservative PTR hosts were found to be associated with “security.” Additional values were also found to be associated with listening to liberal and conservative PTR hosts. In addition, discriminant analysis was used to develop a model which could predict PTR listening based on audience values. These findings add to the understanding of the uses and gratifications of listening to political talk radio.
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TL;DR: The authors examined audience effects from entertainment news formats by comparing retention, involvement, attention and perceived credibility of information presented in a traditional radio broadcast news format and a nontraditional news quiz show format.
Abstract: Entertainment news formats, such as radio talk shows and late-night comedy shows, continue to gain audience interest, while traditional news formats are slowly losing audience members. This study examines audience effects from entertainment news formats by comparing retention, involvement, attention and perceived credibility of information presented in a traditional radio broadcast news format and a nontraditional news quiz show format. Findings showed audiences recalled information from quiz questions significantly better than from the traditional news form. Levels of attention and involvement did not differ, and there were no differences for perceived credibility, suggesting audiences may be increasingly accepting of new formats.
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TL;DR: The authors analyzes all-sports radio in a medium market, Peoria, Illinois, the 150th largest market in America, and finds that coverage of local sports is valuable in establishing a brand identity.
Abstract: All-sports radio became a natural byproduct of the informational radio trend of the 1980s. It originated in New York and other large markets. Although it originated as a large market format, today there are dozens of sports radio stations on the air in markets large and small, with many major markets supporting more than one sports radio station. This article analyzes all-sports radio in a medium market, Peoria, Illinois, the 150th largest market in America. National sports networks provide an essential connection to big league sports in Peoria, but coverage of local sports is valuable in establishing a brand identity.
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TL;DR: In the interest of transparency, I have to disclose that I was employed as the manager of a noncommercial educational broadcast station affiliated with (but not licensed to) Pacifica Radio from 198 to 2001 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In the interest of transparency, I have to disclose that I was employed as the manager of a noncommercial educational broadcast station affiliated with (but not licensed to) Pacifica Radio from 198...
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the factors for a successful entry into the Hungarian radio market for western investors, and found that market entry does not always run smoothly and that economic success is by no means a given.
Abstract: Expansion into Eastern European and Central European markets has begun in the media sector. Above all, US, English, French, and German companies are active in the radio sector in the East. Nevertheless, the Hungarian example shows that market entry does not always run smoothly and that economic success is by no means a given. This study investigates the factors for a successful entry into the Hungarian radio market for western investors. Findings include the selection of a low capital and low risk market entry strategy with a local partner, exact research into and incorporation of the peculiarities of the Hungarian radio market, clear content positioning in order to be clearly noticed in the highly competitive Budapest radio market, localization of the product, entry into partnerships to consolidate the market as well as finding a suitable strategy for dealing with the media regulatory body Orszagos Radio Es Televizio Testulet [ORTT].
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TL;DR: Radio's America as mentioned in this paper presents an interesting glimpse into what American society was like at the time the new mass medium of radio was emerging and being embraced by American citizens, and Lenthall states that radio brought those same changes to millions of Americans by transforming the very air, making culture a mass experience.
Abstract: Radio’s America presents an interesting glimpse into what American society was like at the time the new mass medium of radio was emerging and being embraced by American citizens. Specifically, this book captures for a general audience what the decade of the 1930s was like when our nation was beginning to become a mass culture and the mass medium of radio played a pivotal role in helping to create that mass culture. Lenthall states, ‘‘Since late in the 1800s, the United States had been slowly growing more interconnected, centralized, and standardized. By the beginning of the Depression, radio brought those same changes to millions of Americans by transforming the very air, making culture a mass experience’’ (p. 55). To arrive at this conclusion, the book is divided into six chapters that examine 1) radio’s challenges, 2) radio’s listeners, 3) radio’s democracy, 4) radio’s champions, 5) radio’s students, and 6) radio’s writers. In Radio’s America, Lenthall asserts that with the emergence of the medium of radio that the definitions of communication, democracy, and modernity changed. Lenthall states:
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TL;DR: KTCK, "the Ticket" in Dallas is a prime example of a sports-talk station whose format has evolved into "guy talk" as mentioned in this paper, and the station is the object of imitation in the sportstalk community, having reportedly earned $33 million in 2006.
Abstract: KTCK, “the Ticket,” in Dallas is a prime example of a sports-talk station whose format has evolved into “guy talk.” The station is the object of imitation in the sports-talk community, having reportedly earned $33 million in 2006. “The Ticket is a great radio station; there's no denying they do a wonderful job,” the program director of KILT-AM in Houston, Bill Van Rysdam says. Sports-talk stations across the country have learned that “guy talk” is the “ticket” for higher ratings and greater profits.
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TL;DR: In this article, a travelogue written by radio's foremost dramatist and writer of radio documentaries, Norman Corwin, recounting his experiences during a 4-month, round-the-globe, fact-finding mission stemming from his recognition as the first Wendell Willkie One World Award recipient.
Abstract: This is the first of a two-part article that presents a distillation of a found manuscript—a travelogue—written by radio's foremost dramatist and writer of radio documentaries, Norman Corwin, recounting his experiences during a 4-month, round-the-globe, fact-finding mission stemming from his recognition as the first Wendell Willkie One World Award recipient. Corwin recorded interviews with the famous and not-so-famous regarding the prospects for a sustained peace in the aftermath of WWII. These became the corpus of a series of 13 half-hour documentaries broadcast by the CBS Radio Network in 1947 as well as the substance of his unpublished written account. 1
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TL;DR: This paper studied the mutually dependent, uneasy and sometimes contentious relationship between sports talk radio hosts and the newsmakers who appear on their shows and found that while many of the hosts have journalism degrees and say they practice good journalism, the sources don't see it that way.
Abstract: Previous research into sports-talk radio focused on the relationship between hosts and callers or examinations of audience effects and behaviors. This study looks at the mutually dependent, uneasy and sometimes contentious relationship between the hosts and the newsmakers who appear on their shows. While many of the hosts have journalism degrees and say they practice good journalism, the sources don't see it that way. For this study the author interviewed sports-talk radio personnel and the newsmakers they cover. Most of the subjects work in the area of Lawrence, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.