Showing papers in "Journal of Radio & Audio Media in 2017"
TL;DR: The Public Broadcasting Act's 50th anniversary provides an opportune moment to reassess justifications for creating a non-commercial media system as discussed by the authors, and this commemorative occasion coincides with a particularly precarious moment for public radio and television's future, adding some urgency to revisiting and reasserting its normative foundations.
Abstract: The Public Broadcasting Act’s 50th anniversary provides an opportune moment to reassess justifications for creating a noncommercial media system. This commemorative occasion coincides with a particularly precarious moment for public radio and television’s future, adding some urgency to revisiting and reasserting its normative foundations. With this in mind, it is instructive to look back at public broadcasting’s long history to recover some of the original arguments for establishing an alternative to commercial news media. These earlier visions suggest a social democratic ideal for broadcast media, one clearly recognizing that a market-driven system cannot provide for all of democratic society’s communication needs.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the impacts of institutionalism on the 4ZZZ community radio station, viewed as a social movement organization, and argue that while SMOs typically move from an oppositional position of protest to one that is increasingly institutional, this does not necessarily dilute the effectiveness of SMOs over time.
Abstract: The Australian community radio sector has played an important role in the social movement of media democratization, both locally and more broadly, however, little attention has been paid to this sector as a social movement. This research maps the organizational history of Brisbane community radio station, 4ZZZ, to examine the impacts of institutionalism on the station, viewed as a social movement organization (SMO). It argues that while SMOs typically move from an oppositional position of protest to one that is increasingly institutional, this does not necessarily dilute the effectiveness of SMOs over time.
11 citations
TL;DR: This article investigated how recognition of celebrity voices interacted with perceptions of and engagement with audio-only media and found that recognized voices were perceived as more pleasant, and vocal pleasantness was associated with increased parasocial interaction and transportation.
Abstract: The human voice is a major component of popular media, yet its role in people’s media experiences has received minimal research attention. To address this gap, we investigated how recognition of celebrity voices interacted with perceptions of and engagement with audio-only media. After listening to famous actors reading stories, participants indicated whether they recognized each voice, rated its pleasantness, and completed parasocial interaction and narrative transportation measures. Results indicate that recognized voices were perceived as more pleasant. Additionally, vocal pleasantness was associated with increased parasocial interaction and transportation. Findings partially support the prediction that vocal recognition enhances parasocial interaction.
11 citations
TL;DR: This article examined the Facebook comments of domestic and foreign listeners to Indian-music format radio stations from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from the 1990s to the early 2000s and found that the convergence of traditional terrestrial radio with audio streaming technology combined with the spread of high speed broadband connections has expanded the audience of a typical radio station from a few kilometers to a globally dispersed set of listeners who often include those physically displaced from their native cultural programming.
Abstract: Starting in the 1990s, the Caribbean two-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago witnessed the establishment of several Indian-music format radio stations, most of which now stream their content on the World Wide Web or otherwise make their content available beyond the range of their terrestrial radio transmitters. The convergence of traditional terrestrial radio with audio streaming technology combined with the spread of high speed broadband connections has expanded the audience of a typical radio station from a few kilometers to a globally dispersed set of listeners who often include those physically displaced from their native cultural programming. The present investigation examines the Facebook comments of domestic and foreign listeners to Indian-music format radio stations from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors performed a study on how 43 people in key positions related to the radio industry in 4 European countries and Canada viewed the future of radio and which delivery technologies they considered would be most successful.
Abstract: In 2005–2006 the research group DRACE (Digital Radio Cultures in Europe) performed a study on how 43 people in key positions related to the radio industry in 4 European countries and Canada viewed the future of radio and which delivery technologies they considered would be most successful. In addition, it analyzed the motives and reasons certain technologies were seen as more promising than others. Finally, it presented 4 different future scenarios for radio media. The study was published in the Journal of Radio and Audio Media, May 2008.In 2005 the future of radio was considered much less obvious and clear than it appeared 10 years previously. Instead of a transition from analog to digital audio broad- casting (DAB), there was a selection of alternative technological options for digital audio delivery. When looking back from 2015 and considering the results of expert interviews, the project group about Public Service Media in the HERA project: Transnational Radio Encounters found interesting perspectives...
10 citations
TL;DR: The introduction of FM radio in the 1950s was expected to replace its forebear (AM) but, like digital radio, its adoption by listeners was slower than anticipated, and an examination of published literature reveals a number of similarities.
Abstract: As digital radio broadcasting enters its third decade of operation, few would argue that it has met all expectations expressed at the time of its launch in the mid-1990s. Observers are now more circumspect, with views divided on the pace of transition to an all-digital future. In exploring this mismatch between expectation and actuality, this article considers the introduction of FM radio in the 1950s. It too was expected to replace its forebear (AM) but, like digital radio, its adoption by listeners was slower than anticipated. An examination of published literature, in particular engineering and technical documents, reveals a number of similarities in the development of digital radio and FM. Assumptions about listeners’ needs and preferences appear to have been based on little actual audience research and, with continual reference in the literature to the supposed deficiencies of the predecessor technology, suggest an emphasis in decision making on the technical qualities of radio broadcasting over an a...
10 citations
TL;DR: For instance, this paper found that teenagers can follow purely auditory narratives with ease and can generate unique and vivid imagery through aural dramatic stimulation, and listening in the dark and as a group are appealing for audiences.
Abstract: Imagery generation in dramatized audio drama is still poorly understood with the majority of work having been done from a radio advertising perspective. This study sought to understand audio drama imagery generation by using teenage listeners. The study demonstrated that teenagers can follow purely auditory narrative with ease and can generate unique and vivid imagery through aural dramatic stimulation. The study also showed that listening in the dark and as a group are appealing for audiences.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reexamine the Federal Communications Commission's investigation into monopoly practices by the "chain" or network radio broadcasters in the late 1930s and early 1940s and argue that the Commission missed an opportunity to recognize that the Mutual Broadcasting System offered an alternative, cooperative model for organization of the industry that could have better served the FCC's goals of harnessing the power of chain broadcasting and promoting localism in broadcasting.
Abstract: This article reexamines the Federal Communications Commission’s investigation into monopoly practices by the “chain” or network radio broadcasters in the late 1930s and early 1940s The FCC targeted NBC and CBS and eventually succeeded in forcing NBC to sell its Blue radio network But the Commission ultimately failed to prevent network domination of affiliates I argue that the Commission missed an opportunity to recognize that the Mutual Broadcasting System offered an alternative, cooperative model for organization of the industry that could have better served the FCC’s goals of harnessing the power of chain broadcasting and promoting localism in broadcasting
7 citations
TL;DR: In a special public radio symposium that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, the authors argued that despite the enterprise's marginalized roots and repeated political attacks that span a half century, public radio, in one form or another, will survive well into the future.
Abstract: This introductory essay serves to frame this special public radio symposium that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, on November 7, 2017. Drawing from his earlier writings on public broadcasting history, the author tells the story of how educational radio got its start and continued to struggle for survival until the fledgling enterprise could be reborn as public radio, a result of what may be the most significant piece of communications legislation of the second half of the 20th century. The author argues that despite the enterprise’s marginalized roots and repeated political attacks that span a half century, public radio, in one form or another, will survive well into the future.
7 citations
TL;DR: The Railroad Dialogues as discussed by the authors is a location-based sound media that relies on communication in sound alone, and it is easy to attach sound to locations like a rail station, a neighborhood, or a street.
Abstract: Location-based sound media are similar to traditional radio in that they rely on communication in sound alone. The smartphone has GPS and Bluetooth, and it is easy to attach sound to locations like a rail station, a neighborhood, or a street. The research team designed a media prototype, Auditor, and produced a soundscape called “The Railroad Dialogues.” The medium and content were tested in a field trial with 42 young, urban headphone listeners. The article reports on the informants’ level of immersion in the sound content and interface, and considers their potential to supplement radio in the future.
7 citations
TL;DR: Radio Bilingue as mentioned in this paper is a community driven Spanish-language public radio station that serves the information and entertainment needs of one of the most disenfranchised Latino communities across local, national, and transnational borders.
Abstract: This article focuses on Radio Bilingue, a community driven Spanish-language public radio station that serves the information and entertainment needs of one of the most disenfranchised Latino communities across local, national, and transnational borders The author discusses its establishment as a result of the formation of CPB’s Task Force on Minorities and explains the role Radio Bilingue plays in helping elevate minority voices in public broadcasting This case illustrates how a Latino owned and operated radio enterprise empowers traditionally underrepresented Latino communities by providing them a space where they can be heard and represented in culturally sensitive ways
TL;DR: The question why DAB in Spain does not have anyone willing to bring it back to the forefront is answered and the idea of the “window of opportunity” is used and, along with path-dependence, it is placed in the theoretical framework of the main constructivist approaches.
Abstract: Radio broadcasting in Spain is still analog and DAB is awaiting its opportunity. Without an audience or receivers, Spanish free-to-air digital radio is inconsequential, merely anecdotal, although the European context is changing and some countries have been investing more in this distribution platform in recent years. This article aims to answer the question why DAB in Spain does not have anyone willing to bring it back to the forefront. To do so, we use the idea of the “window of opportunity” and, along with path-dependence, we place it in the theoretical framework of the main constructivist approaches.
TL;DR: This paper examined the use of gimmickry, stunting, and guest appearances to attract, keep, and rebuild an audience for the Byrd Expedition broadcasts, aired on CBS, between 1933 and 1935.
Abstract: This study examines stunting, gimmickry, and the use of guest appearances to attract, keep, and rebuild an audience for the Byrd Expedition broadcasts, aired on CBS, between 1933 and 1935. The sponsor worked to maximize the benefit its product received through program association by attracting the largest audience possible. This research suggests a reconsideration of where rivalry existed in the sponsorship era of broadcasting. It finds that hype through stunts and gimmicks helped keep the expedition exciting during low exploring times. Notable guests were included in the program when convenient but not necessarily during times of low levels of adventure.
TL;DR: The need for more flexible structural arrangements as public radio and public television stations merge, partner with non-profit media entities, and seek funding that builds on the strength of the local public radio network as well as responds to the demand for imaginative, on-demand content from national networks.
Abstract: While useful in establishing U.S. public media, the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 is an imperfect instrument for moving public radio to a secure future. Policies governing public broadcasting are insufficient to address the economic, political, social, and technological changes upending media organizations, both commercial and non-commercial. The urgent need is for more flexible structural arrangements as public radio and public television stations merge, partner with non-profit media entities, and seek funding that builds on the strength of the local public radio network as well as responds to the demand for imaginative, on-demand content from national networks.
TL;DR: In the decades following enactment, activists for community, low power, and part time radio stations endeavored to correct the problems that grew out of the original legislation as mentioned in this paper, and the primary consequence has been a public radio system that is less inclusive and diverse than it could have been.
Abstract: Just over half of the noncommercial radio stations in the United States contributed in some way to the lobbying campaign that led to the inclusion of radio in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. Most of these stations were associated with educational institutions, and were uniformly represented to federal authorities as “educational radio,” though the universe of noncommercial stations in the late 1960s was more nuanced and diverse. When federal financial assistance was finally achieved, the programs proved to be too exclusive or too expensive for some of the parties who had helped to move the Act from conception to reality. In the decades following enactment, activists for community, low power, and part time stations endeavored to correct the problems that grew out of the original legislation. For audiences, the primary consequence has been a public radio system that is less inclusive and diverse than it could have been.
TL;DR: This paper conducted interviews with key members of the radio industry in Kazakhstan to learn the role of radio in establishing a state language and the challenges they face doing so, but the dominance of Russian language radio and a shifting media and language environment continue to present roadblocks.
Abstract: Kazakhstan became independent after the fall of the Soviet Union and began the process of recovering Kazakh traditions and establishing a unique identity as a country. Key to this effort is establishing the Kazakh language as a titular or state language. At the time of independence an overwhelming majority of Kazakhstan’s population spoke Russian, which remains strong today. The state requires that Kazakh is spoken in at least 50% of all radio broadcasts, and state-sponsored radio takes the lead in this effort. Interviews were conducted with key members of Kazakhstan’s radio industry to learn the role of radio in establishing a state language and the challenges they face doing so. Interviewees were passionate about their role in re-establishing Kazakh culture through language, but the dominance of Russian language radio and a shifting media and language environment continue to present roadblocks.
TL;DR: In this article, the distinctiveness of the public broadcaster offer in the roll-out of digital terrestrial radio across 25 European markets was examined through the number of services and the diversity of genres provided by the same broadcaster on analogue-only, simulcast and digital-only stations.
Abstract: This article examines the distinctiveness of the public broadcaster offer in the roll-out of digital terrestrial radio across 25 European markets. Distinctiveness was measured through the number of services and the diversity of genres provided by the same broadcaster on analogue-only, simulcast and digital-only stations. The results illustrate which public broadcasters have made an effort to provide exclusive digital services and which genres are being preferred in digital. As a whole, the research provides useful insights into the role of public media as drivers of digital radio and technological innovation.
TL;DR: The authors applied social identity theory to examine the pre- and post-merger identities of news organizations and their workers and found that by understanding the impact of a merger, news organizations can better manage the process by reinforcing how changes align with the premerger organizations' identity and the new emerging identity.
Abstract: Using St. Louis Public Radio and the St. Louis Beacon as a case study, this research applies social identity theory to examine the pre- and post-merger identities of the organizations and their workers. The merger experience is a guide for other institutions considering similar moves. By understanding the impact of a merger, news organizations can better manage the process by reinforcing how changes align with the pre-merger organizations’ identity and the new emerging identity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyze the local radio market in Portugal, by assessing the changes in the legislation and by examining the regulatory action that can, according to its remit, act preventively to avoid market forces to harm these principles.
Abstract: The loss of localism has been a common trend in most radio markets in Europe and the United States. Deregulation of ownership led to a concentration phenomenon that has affected local radios in several western democracies. New forms of regulation have been considered as possible ways to stop the erosion of localism by applying rules to markets in the defense of diversity, pluralism, and the local dimension. This article analyses the local radio market in Portugal, by assessing the changes in the legislation and by examining the regulatory action that can, according to its remit, act preventively to avoid market forces to harm these principles.
TL;DR: This symposium on “Digital Radio—Strategies and Visions” focuses on digital radio technologies, but, in line with Scannell’s reflections on the concept of the technologies of radio, the contributions to the symposium encompass different aspects of the development of digital radio as result of the social, political, and cultural environments in different parts of Europe.
Abstract: “Technologies are, in the first instance, technical, but in the last instance they are not.” This was the initial sentence in Paddy Scannell’s foreword: “The Ontology of Radio” in the book, Digital Radio in Europe—Technologies, Industries and Cultures (O’Neill (ed.), 2010). This symposium on “Digital Radio—Strategies and Visions” focuses on digital radio technologies. But, in line with Scannell’s reflections on the concept of the technologies of radio, the contributions to the symposium encompass different aspects of the development of digital radio as result of the social, political, and cultural environments in different parts of Europe. The historical roots of digital radio go back to the visions behind the creation of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) in 1950. Europe was considered a common broadcasting sphere, based on the principle of public service, rooted in a shared history and culture (O’Neill, 2010, p. 30), with individual nations framing their broadcasting systems within national legislation and regulation, but with an overarching spectrum management over the allocation of the scarce frequencies, related to the International Telecommunication organization (ITU). In contrast to the digitization of television in Europe, which was accomplished through supranational (EU) regulation (i.e., The Audiovisual Media Services Directive), radio broadcasting in Europe is not part of an overarching regulation. The introduction of the FM band from the 1950s opened up more nationally and locally oriented radio, and soon the scarcity of frequencies became an obstacle to further expansion. The European answer to this challenge was the Eureka 147, also known as Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), a versatile broadcasting system used for both satellite and terrestrial distribution and considered a future common European standard. For broadcasters it offered a combining of multiple audio streams into a single frequency, also allowing for data transmission – a multiplex. But from the visions to implemented reality, the history of DAB in Europe tells about a long and winding road (Gandy, 2003; Hoeg & Lauterbach 2003; Kozamernik, 1995; O’Neill, 2009; O’Neill et al., 2010; Rudin, 2006). From 1995, when DAB was introduced in the
TL;DR: The Hegemonies of Racialized Listening and Hearing: Elucidating the Audio Panopticon We are entering the age of the infinite examination and of subsequent compulsory objectification as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Hegemonies of Racialized Listening and Hearing: Elucidating the Audio Panopticon We are entering the age of the infinite examination and of subsequent compulsory objectification. (Foucault, 197...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the ways in which the transformations that Rio de Janeiro experienced prior to hosting the Olympics echo in the soundscapes of Favela da Mare, and argue that activist media in Latin America can be better understood if situated in a complex set of daily rhythms.
Abstract: This article aims to explore the ways in which the transformations that Rio de Janeiro experienced prior to hosting the Olympics echo in the soundscapes of Favela da Mare. Here, we draw from an (auto)ethnographic approach, and combine theoretical perspectives from sound studies, auditory culture, and studies of activist media. Our research indicates that some of the authorities’ oppressive impositions on favela residents’ daily lives manifest precisely through the suppression of sounds. We would like to argue that activist media in Latin America can be better understood if situated in a complex set of daily rhythms.
TL;DR: The 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 was marked by a special Journal of Radio & Audio Media symposium as discussed by the authors, which was held in Washington, D.C.
Abstract: This special Journal of Radio & Audio Media symposium marks the 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which was signed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson on November 7, 1967 (U.S...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore recent developments in the technical regulation and licensing of digital radio services, focusing particularly on emergent low-power DAB services as currently being evaluated by Ofcom, the UK broadcast radio regulator.
Abstract: This article explores recent developments in the technical regulation and licensing of digital radio services.. It examines issues of coverage, focusing particularly on emergent low-power “small-scale” DAB services as currently being evaluated by Ofcom, the UK broadcast radio regulator. Beginning with an explanation of the technical differences between analogue FM compared to DAB and considering the implications of the differing frequencies used by the two standards, the article concentrates on recently developed approaches to the provision DAB transmission facilities suitable for use by small-scale broadcasters.
TL;DR: The Journal of Radio & Audio Media marks the 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Act at 50: Outcomes for U.S. Public Radio, and presents five perspectives on the act's history as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: This issue of the Journal of Radio & Audio Media marks the “Public Broadcasting Act at 50: Outcomes for U.S. Public Radio,” and Alan G. Stavitsky’s assemblage of five perspectives on the act’s hist...