Radio Waves: December 9, 2022
Country Christmas
In keeping with my desire to discuss holiday music in every
column every week of the year I bring you more holiday music news: as
expected, Go Country 105 has temporarily become Your Christmas Destination once
more.
A rundown of the music played just prior to my writing this
includes music from The Ronettes, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Andy
Williams, and Elvis Presley, so its definitely not a country-oriented Christmas
format. That being said, it did also include Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Jake
Owen, and Lady A … so there is a nice mix there. Generally speaking, while I
hate to “lose” the country format, I tend to like the variety of holiday music
that Go Country plays this time of year.
I used quotes around the word “lose” because the country music is
not totally gone; it is still available on the digital radio HD stream (105.1
HD3), as well as online, through various apps, and via smart speakers. The HD
stream temporarily replaces the “unforgettable” Sinatra and standards format
normally found there.
And don’t worry … I have more holiday music information in the
wait …
Feeding Kids
The 12th Annual KFI (640 AM) Pastathon has raised over $450,000
and almost 10,000 pounds of pasta and sauce through press time, though the
numbers are most certainly higher once the final tallies are in.
The PastaThon benefits Caterina’s Club, a charity named after
Chef Bruno Serato’s mother. In 2005, the charity began serving hot meals to
children living in low-income motels; since that time the project has expanded
to 100 locations in 30 cities across Southern California, serving more than
25,000 meals per week. Since inception, that makes for over eight million meals
served
In addition, help is given to get families into stable homes and
job training in the hospitality industry is provided, all in an attempt to
break the cycle of poverty, directly benefiting 260 families and 600 teens who have
graduated from the Hospitality Academy.
This year, KFI partnered with Smart and Final, Wendy’s, and
Barilla — yes the pasta company, of course — to help with the 2022 drive. Water
heater manufacturer Bradford White donated $5000 as well.
Since KFI got involved in 2010, listeners and partners of the
station have raised over $4.6 million and 700,000 pounds of pasta and sauce.
That’s a lotta pasta!
Streaming Along
The vast majority of radio listening is still over the regular
airwaves, of course. But streaming has picked ups over the past few years,
according to Edison Research. The company recently reported that about 12
percent of listeners to AM and FM radio listen via online streams, which
includes web browsers, apps, and smart speakers.
Modern apps and smart speakers especially make it extremely easy
to hear your favorite station, and there are some who feel that streaming radio
is the real future of radio … putting stations on an even playing field with
good reception and fidelity non matter your location.
That, of course, will take wifi universal internet access to
become a reality for all.
Car Radio
Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey is hopping on the “Saving AM”
train. He recently sent a letter to 20 automakers asking them too make sure
they continue to provide AM radio reception in their vehicles
As reported by AllAccess.Com,
in the letter Markey wrote, “Despite innovations such as the smartphone and
social media, AM/FM broadcast radio remains the most dependable, cost-free, and
accessible communication mechanism for public officials to communicate with the
public during times of emergency. As a result, any phase-out of broadcast AM
radio could pose a significant communication problem during emergencies.
Although the auto industry’s investments in electric vehicles are critical to
addressing the climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, automakers
need not sacrifice the benefits of radio in the process.”
The Senator asked for replies from the companies by December
22nd to the questions of whether they have decided to drop AM and why, what are
the future plans for AM reception in their vehicles, and if they currently
offer digital (HD) radio.
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