Homogenized Music

Mansing writes "The connections between broadcast radio and music industry are well known. In the old days, payola was the method to increase a song's (or album's) exposure. But now, the same "free market" corporate music that infects the music industry is also infecting the broadcast radio industry as well. What makes the article so informative is not the business angles, but how business has changed what is broadcast. Seeing the parallels between the recording industry's force fed music and Clear Channel's "nothing is left to whim or chance" programming, I now understand how hard it is for any non-corporate sanctioned music to become widely heard."

Comments

Clear Channel == Devil

[Wind_Walker]

The problem with Big Radio (ala Big Tobacco/Oil/etc) is that most people don't know that they're all being controlled by the same company, Clear Channel. They have 1225 radio and 37 television stations under their control. That amounts to about 80% of the total radio stations in the USA.

Does anybody else remember the "CC" commercials on the radio, emploring people to register internet domains that end in .cc? Guess what "CC" stands for! That's right! Clear Channel. That was their bid to get into the internet business, and from what I hear, it failed. But just think about that... Every radio station that your heard those commercials on was controlled by Clear Channel.

These people are worse than the RIAA and MPAA combined.

Re: "college" radio

[Tasty Beef Jerky]

Just because it's "new" doesn't mean it's good.

I could pee on your face. That would probably be new to you. However, I doubt you'd like it.

I could stick your hand in a blender set to "puree". That would probably be new to you. However, I doubt you'd like it.

Another thing, most people don't want to hear anything new not because they "risk their cozy bland existence," but simply because they've probably already heard the "new" before and like it about as much as nails grating on a chalkboard. This "industrial" crap you speak of is about as musical as a pair of fighting cats in a garbage can.

Get off your high podium jackass. You do not hold the moral high-ground here.

Oh, I'm sorry, you're a unique rebellious individual, just like every other unique rebellious individual. Fight the power, don't conform (Except to do the things all the people you want to be like do), be yourself (except when that doesn't allow you to fit in to your "unique" culture).

Re:In past ages the philosphers...

[RevAaron]

Well, duh. Of course capitalism restricts human development- it's idea is that you gain profit, which is nothing but the money you get by exploiting people. Getting paid a fair wage for your work isn't profit, so, so all you working saps don't get mad and say "w311 1 g0tta eat!!!"

I'm sure you know this, but it's hugely surprising how many people don't. It's sad.

Keep it real.