Oh. And if you weren't aware, the FCC is currently taking PUBLIC comment regarding a new system of Low Power FM ((LPFM) or "pirate radio") stations that would serve local communities for very low cost. In fact, a decent low power station could be setup for under $5,000. Compare that with the cost of just getting a license for a full power station (over $100,000 in many cases). Of course the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is running a hot anti-LPFM campaign and getting help from NPR and the CPB. They like to use scare tactics like: airplanes will fall out of the sky if this is allowed; emergency communications will get disrupted; it will be all chaos! Those in the scene know better and know these things to be false. You can find out about the FCC's Petition for RuleMaking at the FCC site (www.fcc.gov) or visit the ARD site at http://www.radiodiversity.com The deadline is August 2nd, 1999! Make your voice heard.
The biggest problem with satellite radio is that it will cost the consumer money. Money for the receiver and money for the monthly subscription. And will it be cheap? How cheap is a satellite? And since it IS so expensive to own and operate, what will the programming be? The safe, tired, "sure thing" programming that is already crammed down our throats from coast-to-coast. Except now everybody really will hear the same stuff at the same time - over and over again. And since it IS so expensive who will own/operate this service? The mega-media corporations who already own most of our radio stations! Thanks to the 1996 Telecom Act well over 44% of our nations radio stations have changed hands (into the hands of the few: Disney/ABC, Chancellor/Capstar, Jacor, CBS/Infinity...). Why isn't the public upset about this? Why isn't it covered in the media? Oh, the media is all owned by... the same people. What really should burn people's butts is that the airwaves are FREE and belong to all of us. Yet the spectrum is AUCTIONED off to the highest bidder who locks up that frequency and turns it into a money-making machine. HUGE profits are generated off these "giveaways" and the public gets... uh... more Hootie and Garth. Ok... so I have an issue about radio. If you do as well, please visit the Americans for Radio Diversity website. http://www.radiodiversity.com
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Oh. And if you weren't aware, the FCC is currently taking PUBLIC comment regarding a new system of Low Power FM ((LPFM) or "pirate radio") stations that would serve local communities for very low cost. In fact, a decent low power station could be setup for under $5,000. Compare that with the cost of just getting a license for a full power station (over $100,000 in many cases).
Of course the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is running a hot anti-LPFM campaign and getting help from NPR and the CPB. They like to use scare tactics like: airplanes will fall out of the sky if this is allowed; emergency communications will get disrupted; it will be all chaos! Those in the scene know better and know these things to be false.
You can find out about the FCC's Petition for RuleMaking at the FCC site (www.fcc.gov) or visit the ARD site at http://www.radiodiversity.com
The deadline is August 2nd, 1999! Make your voice heard.
The biggest problem with satellite radio is that it will cost the consumer money. Money for the receiver and money for the monthly subscription. And will it be cheap? How cheap is a satellite?
And since it IS so expensive to own and operate, what will the programming be? The safe, tired, "sure thing" programming that is already crammed down our throats from coast-to-coast. Except now everybody really will hear the same stuff at the same time - over and over again.
And since it IS so expensive who will own/operate this service? The mega-media corporations who already own most of our radio stations!
Thanks to the 1996 Telecom Act well over 44% of our nations radio stations have changed hands (into the hands of the few: Disney/ABC, Chancellor/Capstar, Jacor, CBS/Infinity...).
Why isn't the public upset about this? Why isn't it covered in the media? Oh, the media is all owned by... the same people.
What really should burn people's butts is that the airwaves are FREE and belong to all of us. Yet the spectrum is AUCTIONED off to the highest bidder who locks up that frequency and turns it into a money-making machine. HUGE profits are generated off these "giveaways" and the public gets... uh... more Hootie and Garth.
Ok... so I have an issue about radio. If you do as well, please visit the Americans for Radio Diversity website. http://www.radiodiversity.com
Yes, it is, in a way. They all pay blanket fees to ASCAP, BMI, etc. and they somehow rate each song on an average play amount.