> “While radio across the country has been overtaken by giant corporate broadcasting groups, I’ve loved being a local, independent owner all these years,” King said.
Almost nobody likes this development, yet no-one does anything about it. Almost everyone except politicians is critical of big corporations, yet they're ever growing like a tumor, leaving small mom-and-pop businesses by the wayside.
In recent years, I'm hearing more and more how we're supposed to shop locally and support regional producers. Yet, I don't see how our government is supporting this call themselves. Without regulation, small businesses will not be able to compete with the giants.
Mom-and-pop businesses usually have to charge higher prices, because they can't get large volume discounts. Big companies also have the infrastructure to ship things reliably from overseas.
When it comes down to it, most people would rather save money and pay less than shop at small businesses.
On a note about radio: it's dead. If you want a local radio feel, listen to podcasts. Stephen King most likely is losing advertisers because radio, as a medium, is getting overtaken by podcasts and things like Youtube.
I used to listen to the radio every day and I haven't been a regular listener for almost a decade.
> almost everyone except politicians is critical of big corporation
I think that is the critical point.
Big corporations are good at lobbying. They shape policy. Politicians do not only like big corporations, they allow them a lot of influence, so they can shape policy to advantage themselves against smaller competitors.
Most people don't even care, since now there are so many more independent sources of easily accessible information than anyone could have envisioned 40 years ago.
In fact, of decades of being in tech, having a lot of friends and connections, I don't know I have even heard one friend lament this, ever. Compare that to the many topics I regularly hear people worry about, or the hundreds of conversations on various repeating topics, I find it way out of touch to think this topic is that big to nearly anyone.
> Almost everyone except politicians is critical of big corporations
Also not true. I suspect you're in some 20s aged echo chamber?
> Without regulation, small businesses will not be able to compete with the giants.
Regulation historically serves to entrench big business since they can more easily afford to ensure they meet regulations, and can amortize legal and employment issues than mom and pop stores.
> leaving small mom-and-pop businesses by the wayside.
The fact is that small businesses have increased much more rapidly in the last decade than perhaps ever. There are over 30 million small businesses in the US, and out of a population of 345M (including infants, teens, retirees...) that is around one small business per 5 working age adults. [1] Read some about small businesses before making so many claims apparently based on poor sources.
I do listen to local channels often when driving (not in USA). I think they have often very interesting personalities who are very interested in music and who present good material, I'm learning about new artists or people's backgrounds etc. Sometimes their style of speaking is quite is odd (maybe they were an alcoholic earlier) but that doesn't bother me so much, you get used to it after a minute. I'll take that any day over the hyper-excited people that fill the general channels with empty speech.
> Almost everyone except politicians is critical of big corporations, yet they're ever growing like a tumor, leaving small mom-and-pop businesses by the wayside.
Corporations found themselves a river of wealth flowing throught the economy and squat on it. That how they became corporations. By walking randomly they landed in a profitable spot, which allowed them to grow like a tumor and extract even more value. That's why politicians are interested in them, because they can leach some of that wealth that's getting extracted. Mom and pop shops are just potential corporations that sat in the wrong spot. They are failed businesses. What's why governement doesn't pay attention to them. While corporations are pumping out rivers of wealth with industrial pumps mom and pop shops are just treading a little bit of liquid wealth in a puddle with a short stick and taking out a little bit that stuck to it. Effect on community, jobs and such is totally irrelevant. Government and the rich don't care about poor people unless there's a chance they might rebel.
When you say "everyone except politicians is critical" - "everyone" means, nobody important.
There is another way, of course, which is public radio. It sounds like King just operated his stations at a loss, but maybe a non profit model could have survived?
I currently live in Nashville TN and the local public radio music station is so good that I never use algorithmic streaming any more.
I do, however, have a lot of t-shirts and tote bags.
Regulatory capture protects big business and makes it all but impossible for new comers enter the market and weighs down existing small business with the burden of compliance. We need fewer regulations, not more.
You see this happening because large corps simply are more efficient. This is why you'll see communists be against small mom and pop businesses, one in part because the proprietors hold up Capitalism as the petit bourgeois, but also because you get way more done for less by consolidating.
The main difference being you can't vote on a Corporation's behavior but theoretically, you have some say in your government's handling of state-owned industry.
(inb4 communist dictatorships)
At the local level in existing socialist/communist states, there's unions and local leaders who have to answer to the workers generally.
Not a perfect system, but hey, China will execute the CEO if they sell poisonous baby food. Can't say the same for whoever was responsible for the Boar's head poisonings.
The first time this happened was due to de-regulation under Bill Clinton in the 90s, triggering a wave of consolidation by the "Telecommunications Act of 1996", driving many small broadcasters out of the market. [0]
The second time was shortly before the election, giving left-wing activist billionaire George Soros control over 200 stations [1] [2], in an expedited process that usually takes over a year.
It is not hard to see why they accelerated it and why they approved it at all.
> Almost everyone except politicians is critical of big corporations, yet they're ever growing like a tumor, leaving small mom-and-pop businesses by the wayside.
Unfortunately that isn't really true. Many might think the idea of being local is reasonable, but they don't really support it.
It's the same with startups. Many like they idea but ask them how to get affordable housing, healthcare and transportation so you can actually make ramen profitability, burn rate and opportunity cost work and they will at best ramble about zoning, taxes and bureaucracy.
Most of the time it isn't someone else doing it. Not the politicians, not the corporations, but the local population themselves. They are the ones lowering taxes, defunding colleges, buying cars, going to big box stores and supporting their local mini real estate tycoons. Until everyone who can leave for a bigger place. Which while not local have enough verity that you can carve out your own space.
People are even going to Thailand, Argentina, Portugal, China and other places to get a different lifestyle. They would go just about anywhere there was actual support for the local community. And sure, it isn't like other bigger developments doesn't affect the situation, but it is 'on the ground' that the changes are happening.
Hi RF_Enthusiast. Myself and a few friends are doing the same thing as a result of the most recent non-commercial filing window. Would love to connect with you in some way if you're open to it, would love to compare notes and see what kind of scripting you've set up (we also use lots of scripts and write lots of code). Our call letters are KRDF if you'd like to reach out.
Remember this from the TV show Cheers. Robin is Robin Colcord who is a billionaire who is a love intest of the character Rebecca....
Rebecca Howe: [about Robin] I told him the biggest secret of my life.
Carla LeBec: What?
Rebecca Howe: I told him about You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling by The Righteous Brothers and what that song does to me. Right? Do you know what he did?
Carla LeBec: What?
Rebecca Howe: He called this radio station he owns and he had them play it all night.
Woody Boyd: I heard that. I thought that was the long version
I turned on the radio for kicks a few weeks ago, just to see what it was like nowadays.
Ads. It's all ads. Like 10 minute blocks of ads interleaved with radio hosts reading promo weather and promo traffic, followed by ads, then maybe a song. Then more ads.
No FM radio station outside of a college campus has ever succeeded without ads and any form of media that I cannot pay for and receive ad-free is trash to me.
And as far as college radio goes, I'm don't need a new pothead to tell me how revolutionary Kind of Blue is every time the old one graduates.
Even public radio has ads. They use a fancy word instead of "ads" though back when I dumped any form of media from which I could not banish ads Archer Daniels Midland was one of public radio's largest sponsors... for... reasons.
It may be, but to be fair, I either stream music via Pandora or listen to Podcasts. Sometimes, I'll play specific music I have on my phone. Basically, my phone has replaced every function the car stereo had.
And for long trips, streaming beats terrestrial radio. After an hour or two, you'll have to search for new stations as you leave the range or the previous tower. Then you'd better hope there would be a station you could tolerate in some places.
Podcasts are superior to talk radio. As they're curated by you.
Etc, etc.
The major thing we've lost is the specific curation done by some stations. Top 40 radio is what it is, but some stations existed to play things outside the charts.
It’s not dead. Lots of good stations around. I recommend KYGT-LP out of Clear Creek Colorado. Lots of good stations also broadcast online it’s amazing.
I think so too but I'm conflicted. I wouldn't want to give up my infinite jukebox that I have on my phone, but at the same time I think the loss of shared culture is real.
American Graffiti is the movie that first made me think about it. The DJ (Wolfman Jack) is a central character in that movie.
The comments regarding running a small radio station reminded me of this excellent blog post on how to motivate people when there isn't a lot of money available.
- his boss works out some non-monetary incentives e.g. he loves surfing so he gets a flexible schedule etc
I know HN skews towards the "big tech, lots of money and RSU" end of the spectrum so always love to share this story for those who don't have that lever to pull.
I lament that I never listen to the radio. Really since I bought my first iPod I have not listened to the radio. With the smartphone I don't feel I really need the radio. My bandwidth for receiving information is far more wider and diverse than the radio can give me. Instead of radio stations, I think money should be spent on local journalists and amplifying those voices and let them choose their own mediums.
I do not, I’m sure people who lived in larger markets had access to better programming, but where I lived radio was 90%+ ads, uninteresting political commentary and sports commentary. There were a few interesting high-quality programs (hi Car Talk), but they were very much the exception even 30 years ago.
The challenge with broadcast media is you have to cater your content to the largest possible group of people, so sports and the news. I will never forget the mid 2000s when podcasting really started taking off, hearing people discussed topics and subjects that I was actually interested in was an unbelievable feeling.
> All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio blah, blah
Radio, what's new?
Radio, someone still loves you
> Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antennas bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free
I think the article explains it nicely: they generate steady losses, and he's getting older; if he dies, he doesn't want his successors to have to unwind the liabilities.
It's ~2025. What is a popular music terrestrial radio station at this point other than a vanity project?
Imagine a radio experience where listeners are not just passive consumers but active participants. This groundbreaking concept will transform traditional listening into an engaging, interactive platform. An interactive radio that allows users to express their opinions in real-time by pressing one of three buttons. Whether it's a song choice, a controversial topic, or a poll about the day's news, listeners can instantly share their views. This immediate feedback loop will create a dynamic dialogue between the host and the audience.
Broadcast radio stations typically had phone lines for listeners to call. Music stations would take song requests and run contests where the Nth caller would win a prize. Talk radio would put callers on the air to chat with the host.
Maybe you already knew this, but anyone who remembers broadcast radio would also know it. If you're making a joke, I don't quite get the punchline.
[+] [-] josefritzishere|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] kleiba|1 year ago|reply
Almost nobody likes this development, yet no-one does anything about it. Almost everyone except politicians is critical of big corporations, yet they're ever growing like a tumor, leaving small mom-and-pop businesses by the wayside.
In recent years, I'm hearing more and more how we're supposed to shop locally and support regional producers. Yet, I don't see how our government is supporting this call themselves. Without regulation, small businesses will not be able to compete with the giants.
[+] [-] billy99k|1 year ago|reply
When it comes down to it, most people would rather save money and pay less than shop at small businesses.
On a note about radio: it's dead. If you want a local radio feel, listen to podcasts. Stephen King most likely is losing advertisers because radio, as a medium, is getting overtaken by podcasts and things like Youtube.
I used to listen to the radio every day and I haven't been a regular listener for almost a decade.
[+] [-] graemep|1 year ago|reply
I think that is the critical point.
Big corporations are good at lobbying. They shape policy. Politicians do not only like big corporations, they allow them a lot of influence, so they can shape policy to advantage themselves against smaller competitors.
[+] [-] SideQuark|1 year ago|reply
Most people don't even care, since now there are so many more independent sources of easily accessible information than anyone could have envisioned 40 years ago.
In fact, of decades of being in tech, having a lot of friends and connections, I don't know I have even heard one friend lament this, ever. Compare that to the many topics I regularly hear people worry about, or the hundreds of conversations on various repeating topics, I find it way out of touch to think this topic is that big to nearly anyone.
> Almost everyone except politicians is critical of big corporations
Also not true. I suspect you're in some 20s aged echo chamber?
> Without regulation, small businesses will not be able to compete with the giants.
Regulation historically serves to entrench big business since they can more easily afford to ensure they meet regulations, and can amortize legal and employment issues than mom and pop stores.
> leaving small mom-and-pop businesses by the wayside.
The fact is that small businesses have increased much more rapidly in the last decade than perhaps ever. There are over 30 million small businesses in the US, and out of a population of 345M (including infants, teens, retirees...) that is around one small business per 5 working age adults. [1] Read some about small businesses before making so many claims apparently based on poor sources.
[1] https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-data...
[+] [-] Gravityloss|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] scotty79|1 year ago|reply
Corporations found themselves a river of wealth flowing throught the economy and squat on it. That how they became corporations. By walking randomly they landed in a profitable spot, which allowed them to grow like a tumor and extract even more value. That's why politicians are interested in them, because they can leach some of that wealth that's getting extracted. Mom and pop shops are just potential corporations that sat in the wrong spot. They are failed businesses. What's why governement doesn't pay attention to them. While corporations are pumping out rivers of wealth with industrial pumps mom and pop shops are just treading a little bit of liquid wealth in a puddle with a short stick and taking out a little bit that stuck to it. Effect on community, jobs and such is totally irrelevant. Government and the rich don't care about poor people unless there's a chance they might rebel.
When you say "everyone except politicians is critical" - "everyone" means, nobody important.
[+] [-] JeremyNT|1 year ago|reply
I currently live in Nashville TN and the local public radio music station is so good that I never use algorithmic streaming any more.
I do, however, have a lot of t-shirts and tote bags.
https://wnxp.org/
[+] [-] patrick451|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|1 year ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] MSFT_Edging|1 year ago|reply
The main difference being you can't vote on a Corporation's behavior but theoretically, you have some say in your government's handling of state-owned industry.
(inb4 communist dictatorships) At the local level in existing socialist/communist states, there's unions and local leaders who have to answer to the workers generally.
Not a perfect system, but hey, China will execute the CEO if they sell poisonous baby food. Can't say the same for whoever was responsible for the Boar's head poisonings.
[+] [-] MrBuddyCasino|1 year ago|reply
The second time was shortly before the election, giving left-wing activist billionaire George Soros control over 200 stations [1] [2], in an expedited process that usually takes over a year.
It is not hard to see why they accelerated it and why they approved it at all.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996
[1] https://www.foxnews.com/media/george-soros-closer-controllin...
[2] https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-langworthy-probe-p...
[+] [-] amtc80|1 year ago|reply
Unfortunately that isn't really true. Many might think the idea of being local is reasonable, but they don't really support it.
It's the same with startups. Many like they idea but ask them how to get affordable housing, healthcare and transportation so you can actually make ramen profitability, burn rate and opportunity cost work and they will at best ramble about zoning, taxes and bureaucracy.
Most of the time it isn't someone else doing it. Not the politicians, not the corporations, but the local population themselves. They are the ones lowering taxes, defunding colleges, buying cars, going to big box stores and supporting their local mini real estate tycoons. Until everyone who can leave for a bigger place. Which while not local have enough verity that you can carve out your own space.
People are even going to Thailand, Argentina, Portugal, China and other places to get a different lifestyle. They would go just about anywhere there was actual support for the local community. And sure, it isn't like other bigger developments doesn't affect the situation, but it is 'on the ground' that the changes are happening.
[+] [-] RF_Enthusiast|1 year ago|reply
I wrote a lot of scripts to make it happen.
[+] [-] Eextra953|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] yakkob|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] ortusdux|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] slyall|1 year ago|reply
Rebecca Howe: [about Robin] I told him the biggest secret of my life.
Carla LeBec: What?
Rebecca Howe: I told him about You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling by The Righteous Brothers and what that song does to me. Right? Do you know what he did?
Carla LeBec: What?
Rebecca Howe: He called this radio station he owns and he had them play it all night.
Woody Boyd: I heard that. I thought that was the long version
[+] [-] defrost|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] Kye|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] billconan|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|1 year ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] 2OEH8eoCRo0|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] Workaccount2|1 year ago|reply
Ads. It's all ads. Like 10 minute blocks of ads interleaved with radio hosts reading promo weather and promo traffic, followed by ads, then maybe a song. Then more ads.
[+] [-] snakeyjake|1 year ago|reply
And as far as college radio goes, I'm don't need a new pothead to tell me how revolutionary Kind of Blue is every time the old one graduates.
Even public radio has ads. They use a fancy word instead of "ads" though back when I dumped any form of media from which I could not banish ads Archer Daniels Midland was one of public radio's largest sponsors... for... reasons.
[+] [-] tptacek|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] bena|1 year ago|reply
And for long trips, streaming beats terrestrial radio. After an hour or two, you'll have to search for new stations as you leave the range or the previous tower. Then you'd better hope there would be a station you could tolerate in some places.
Podcasts are superior to talk radio. As they're curated by you.
Etc, etc.
The major thing we've lost is the specific curation done by some stations. Top 40 radio is what it is, but some stations existed to play things outside the charts.
[+] [-] latentcall|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] DaveExeter|1 year ago|reply
Ok, sometimes it's nice to begin the day with a friendly voice. Like a companion, unobtrusive. But you can get that from podcasts.
[+] [-] queuebert|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] pjmorris|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] criddell|1 year ago|reply
American Graffiti is the movie that first made me think about it. The DJ (Wolfman Jack) is a central character in that movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ9Gp6Qc8LQ
[+] [-] Eumenes|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] alexpotato|1 year ago|reply
https://web.archive.org/web/20130409033601/http://www.articu...
TL;DR:
- guy goes to work at a small radio station
- station doesn't have a lot of money
- his boss works out some non-monetary incentives e.g. he loves surfing so he gets a flexible schedule etc
I know HN skews towards the "big tech, lots of money and RSU" end of the spectrum so always love to share this story for those who don't have that lever to pull.
[+] [-] FerretFred|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] Molitor5901|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] xnyan|1 year ago|reply
I do not, I’m sure people who lived in larger markets had access to better programming, but where I lived radio was 90%+ ads, uninteresting political commentary and sports commentary. There were a few interesting high-quality programs (hi Car Talk), but they were very much the exception even 30 years ago.
The challenge with broadcast media is you have to cater your content to the largest possible group of people, so sports and the news. I will never forget the mid 2000s when podcasting really started taking off, hearing people discussed topics and subjects that I was actually interested in was an unbelievable feeling.
[+] [-] allturtles|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] throaway250|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] NeinMiez|1 year ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] unknown|1 year ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] linotype|1 year ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] tptacek|1 year ago|reply
It's ~2025. What is a popular music terrestrial radio station at this point other than a vanity project?
[+] [-] edm0nd|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] Alupis|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] rnl|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] readyplayernull|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] jprete|1 year ago|reply
Maybe you already knew this, but anyone who remembers broadcast radio would also know it. If you're making a joke, I don't quite get the punchline.
[+] [-] galleywest200|1 year ago|reply
[+] [-] throwaway0665|1 year ago|reply