Articles Index
Exclusive Christmas Interview: Inside K-ELF Radio
The recession has even hit the North Pole. Because toy requests have fallen, Santa's Elves have thrown in to start their own online radio station: K-ELF. I recently had a short conversation....I mean, uh...I spoke with their Program Director, Head Elf, about format, promotions, and more. (Humor)
Customize Your Online Christmas Music with Slacker Holiday Radio
Slacker is a free online Internet Radio portal which lets users customize music stations - including their holiday offerings. You can listen for free to any of eleven different streams featuring a complete spectrum of holiday, seasonal, and Christmas music. Read more.
SIRIUS XM Radio Offers Christmas, Hanukkah, and Holiday Channels
SIRIUS XM Radio is offering a wide variety of Christmas, Hanukkah, and seasonal programming and music between both satellite services. Here's an overview of what to expect and on which channels to find it.
The SIRIUS XM Radio Bailout: Why Some Listeners Are Threatening to Leave
I’ve been writing and editing the Radio portion of About.com since 2002 and I can count on one hand the amount of news stories or controversies which have generated more reaction than the recent programming consolidation of the SIRIUS and XM services. Subscribers are livid. Dismayed. Pissed. Ready to bail. Read more. (Opinion)
Top 10 Radio Turkey Moments of 2008
Every year at this time I give you my opinion of the Top 10 Turkey Moments in Radio for the year. These are moments of stupidity, dumbness, bad calls, awkwardness, failed stunts, contests, and more. Well, here's the list for 2008 and as usual, it was hard paring it down to just 10.
Satellite Radio Subscribers Vent Over Channel Changes
On Wednesday (11/12/08), the newly combined SIRIUS XM Radio announced new channel lineups on both XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. As can be expected, not everyone is happy about the changes. Read more.
How to Defeat Security at Most Radio Stations: Donuts
I’ve worked at a myriad of radio stations from small markets to major ones and although some stations were quite secure, I’ll chance to say that more were not. But, no matter the security in place: guards, key cards, locked building, surveillance cameras, or warning signs - I've seen dozen of people defy the odds and get right in with nothing more than a box or two of donuts. Read more. (Opinion/Humor)
WKRP in Cinncinati's Turkey Drop Episode
One of the funniest moments in Radio stunt history took place on a famous 1978 episode of the sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" when the station decided to drop live turkeys from a helicopter. Of course, it didn't really happen but oddly enough, the incident was based on a true story which inspired it. Read more, hear the audio or view the video.
Getting the Most out of Traditional Radio During Bad Economic Times
Traditional AM and FM radio stations must be highly competitive all the time, even more so during an economic turn down. Listeners (and advertisers) should use their clout to take advantage of all the freebies and opportunities being offered. Read more.
Small Audio Victories in Faux Radio
I'm not sure the music service provided on Comcast Cable can be considered "Radio". Although, I have to admit: with 48 channels of choice, it's a music service which rivals even Satellite. But, my problem was getting this audio into my backyard and I solved it with a great little inexpensive amplifier. Read more.
Satellite Radio Merger Creates New Programming Options for Subscribers
The merger of SIRIUS and XM Satellite Radio has brought forth new programming options for subscribers of both services. Now, you can subscribe to one service and get the "best of" the other. Read more.
Top 10 Scary Radio Stories of 2008
As with any business, Radio always has its share of stories which cross over into the category of vile: murder, child pornography, assault, shootings, death, drugs, and more. Here now are the Top 10 Scary Radio Stories of 2008 from bad to worse!
Flying Under the Radar at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention
I recently made a whirlwind trip to Austin, Texas to attend the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Awards. The NAB is a trade organization which advocates on behalf of Radio and TV stations. You can be assured many of the members wear dark suits. I, on the other hand, wear ripped jeans and often have a day-and-a-half worth of growth on my face. How could we be compatible? Read more (Opinion)
Radio’s Often Misunderstood 20-Hour Work Week
A lot of people, especially typical radio listeners, think the people on-the-air work 4 hours-a-day because that's how long their radio show is. Well, the 20-hour Radio work week is a fallacy. What most people don't see is the amount of time that goes into preparing a show and the other duties on-air radio personalities usually have. Learn more.
9/11 Seven Years Later: Are Our Radio Stations Secure?
It's been 7 years since September 11th. If a terrorist was able to take control of one or more popular radio stations, he – or his group – could disseminate propaganda or misinformation which could ultimately cause panic, confusion, or worse. Are our radio stations as secure as they need to be? Read more. (Opinion)
"Little Buddy Radio" Keeps Bob & Dreama Denver's Dream Alive
Actor Bob Denver's widow, Dreama Denver, is actively carrying on the radio dream that she and Bob began to benefit The Denver Foundation and the West Virginia community where they lived for many years. Today, "Little Buddy Radio" serves southern West Virginia as WGAG-FM/93.1 and is also available on the Internet for everyone to hear. Dreama talks about their radio station in this interview. Read more.
Potential Podcasters: Just Create The Audio And Leave The Coding to These Guys
If you're thinking of creating your own podcast but you're a little hesitant because even though you know how to create your audio, you're not too sure of that "RSS" stuff. Well, good news: MyRSSCreator.com takes the hassle out of the geeky part, leaving you to create that great radio show you've always wanted to share with the world. Read the review.
Radio Business Fears Return Of Annual "Grandma" Christmas Song
Don't look now, but if you turn on your radio, you will no doubt hear that "Grandma" song. Shhh...I don't want to say it too loud. You know the one I'm talking about: the hit-and-run where the old bag gets done in by the reindeer. Yeah, that's the one. We hate it and we love it. But, I promise: it's the bane of Deejays and Program Directors worldwide! Read more.
Internet Radio Recorder More Than Just Recorder
Fogware Publishing has released "Internet Radio Recorder" for recording Internet music and programming which includes many features to enhance recording and maintaining a library of audio. More details.
Radio Leveraged the Video Star
There was a time when TV was audio and video and Radio was...well...just audio. It was a fact of life and television never missed an opportunity to point out what a stepchild Radio really was in the arena of competitive media. Not so anymore. Read more
SIRUS Satellite Radio Personalities
SIRIUS Satellite Radio offers a host of celebrity DJs and Personalities across its various channels. Here's a growing list.
The Internet Makes Old Time Radio New Again
The Internet and its ability to put almost any kind of content on any user's desktop or broadband-equipped TV has effectively created the world's largest multimedia archive. At OTRCAT.com thousands of streaming recordings are available free of charge to visitors and younger generations can now enjoy classic entertainment on demand. Read more.
Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame Inducts New Members
The Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame inducted 5 new members this week and ceremonies were held to dedicate a new "Wall of Fame" in Nashville. Read more.
How Will We Define Radio in the Future?
Radio and what we perceive as "Radio" has changed and will continue to change. It is in a state of metamorphosis brought on by new technologies that have spawned "new media" pitted against "old media". AM and FM are no longer operating in a vacuum and what is not technically "Radio" today - cold become the most dangerous threat to traditional Radio tomorrow. Read more.
Who And How Should We Judge Profanity And Sexual Content On The Radio?
The debate over what should or should not be said on the Radio is not complete without understanding the progression of language useage over the past 50 years, the nature of Radio today, and the rights of all listeners. That, plus some potential solutions to the problem of profanity and sexual content on-the-air. Read more.