Mass Media and Society

Chapter 7: Radio

Feb. 7, 2014

Chapter 7:Radio

• Evolution of radio broadcasting

• Radio’s impact on culture• The new future of radio

The inventionof radio

• Telegraph: early communication technology

• By 1870s, telegraph technology used to develop telephones

Radio’s arrival

• Marconi popularized wireless technology

• By 1912, regulations were in place

• Radio networks rise in 1920s

Radio networks

• NBC, CBS, ABC• Variety shows were

among innovations• Networks are still

powerhouses today

Regulation

• Radio act of 1927 established Federal Radio Commission

• Radio established as largely commercial enterprise

• Big networks: 70% market share

Golden Ageof Radio

• Between 1930 and mid-1950s

• Offerings included daytime soap operas, comedy variety shows, prestige dramas

• News broadcasts

The FCC

• Federal Communications Commission created by Communications Act of 1934

• Stations limited to 50,000 watts of power

• 1949: Fairness Doctrine

Post-Golden Age

• TV ends radio’s dominance

• Stations turn to Top 40• FM grows• Public radio emerges• Radio industry

consolidates

Impact on culture

• Rush Limbaugh• Political talk shows• Sports talk shows• Howard Stern, “shock”

jocks, controversies

Radio’s new future

• Satellite radio• Internet/streaming radio• Podcasting: 27% of

Internet users listened to podcasts in 2013, up from 21% in 2010