Journalism Chapter 1 Homework A micro radio movement surfaced in the 1990s and raised the ire of both broadcast regulators and the industry; these micro stations are referred to as

Unlock access to all the studying documents.

View Full Document

Chapter 1: State of the Fifth Estate

Overview

This chapter introduces the student to the following topics: the current state of broadcast radio,

noncommercial radio, proliferation and frag-out, profits in the air, economics and survival

consolidations, buying and selling, satellite and Internet radio, LPFM (low power FM), radio and

government regulations, corporate consolidation, and jobs and equality in radio.

Student Objectives

After reading and understanding this chapter, the students should:

xDevelop an understanding of the history and evolution of radio;

xGain an appreciation of how this evolution affects radio in the twenty-first century;

xBegin to learn the basic vocabulary unique to radio broadcasting.

Instructors may:

xUtilize video and audio recordings to communicate a sense of history;

Key Words

ABC, Call Letters, CBS, Chief Engineer, Consolidation, Deejay, Digital Audio, Radio Service, FCC,

FRC, Group Owners, IBS Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, MBS, Narrowcasting, NBC, Networks

Non-commercial Radio, NPR, Proliferation, RCA, Satellite Radio, Simulcasting, Top 40, Transistor

Quiz and Review

There is a quiz consisting of twenty multiple choice questions relating to the chapter material. There is

Discussion Topics

What factors will allow radio to retain its current level of appeal to a large and diverse audience? Are

there areas of the radio industry that should be more broadly utilized? What can be done to utilize the

effects of satellite and Internet audio services?

Class Activity

Most students will gain a fuller perspective of the current state of radio broadcasting through research on

the many facets of the industry. Do a survey of what students listen to and why.

Workshop

QUIZ: Chapter 1: State of the Fifth Estate

1. With nearly _____________ radio stations in the United States, radio is the most available source of

entertainment, companionship, and information.

__ a. 1,500

__ b. 15,000

__ c. 150,000

__ d. 1,500,000

2. Which of the following is NOT considered to be a listening source as an alternative to broadcast radio?

__ a. Pandora

__ b. iTunes

__ c. VH-1

__ d. Sirius/XM

3. The trade organization that represents radio and lobbies in Washington, DC is:

__ a. AFTRA

__ b. ASCAP

4. __ c. NASCAR

__ d. N.A.B.

5. The ratings company that was bought by Nielson in 2013 and rebranded as “Nielson Audio” is still

referred to by its old name, _______________

__ a. Arbitron

__ b. Hooper

__ c. Accurating

__ d. Pulse

6. On noncommercial radio stations, what kinds of announcements take the place of commercials?

__ a. Station promos

__ b. Underwriting announcements

__ c. Public service announcements

__ d. Fundraising announcements

7. What is meant by the term “frag—out”?

__ a. The invention of Top 40 radio

__ b. A wider variety of formats

__ c. Narrowcasting or niche-casting

__ d. Different music for each daypart

8. According to legend, Todd Storz and Bill Steward laid the ground work for what popular format after

observing what people played on the jukebox at a local tavern?

__ a. Middle of the Road

__ b. Progressive Rock

__ c. Top 40

__ d. Beautiful Music

9. Seventy percent of radio’s ad revenues come from what source?

__ a. National ad agencies

__ b. Local spot sales

__ c. Listener donations

__ d. Tradeouts

10. To counter the sharp reversal of fortunes, many broadcasters formed _____________agreements,

whereby one radio station leases time and/or facilities from another area station.

__ a. Reciprocal trade agreements

__ b. Local marketing agreements

__ c. Revenue sharing agreements

__ d. Non-competitive network agreements

11. What was one of the effects of the Telecommunications Act of 1996?

__ a. More local independent radio stations

__ b. “Duopolies” were limited to just two in each market

__ c. Reduction in the level of local programming

__ d. Limitation was placed on the number of stations a corporation could own

12. The largest and most successful radio group to emerge since deregulation has been:

__ a. Entercom

__ b. Greater Media

__ c. Clear Channel

__ d. CBS Radio

13. Who handles the buying and selling of radio stations these days?

__ a. The networks

__ b. A brokerage firm

__ c. The individual owner

__ d. The FCC

14. What is one of the advantages of digital radio broadcasting?

__ a. A multiplex stereo signal

__ b. Compatibility with current analog signals

__ c. More affordable prices than existing receivers

__ d. Dramatic improvement in the quality of the signal

15. What is one of the main problems with satellite radio?

__ a. It is commercial-free

__ b. It is obscenity-free

__ c. It utilizes free receivers

__ d. It has high monthly subscriber fees

16. In 2013, the biggest challenge confronting Internet presence continued to be:

__ a. A lack of consumer listening devices

__ b. Large fees charged to provide music

__ c. Weak advertising revenues

__ d. A lack of audience ratings

17. Radio Station websites offer what advantages?

__ a. Better signal quality

__ b. Secondary revenue opportunities

__ c. Interesting graphics

__ d. Commercial-free programming

18. What new technology constitutes the most popular mobile services for listeners?

__ a. Transistor radios

__ b. Compact discs

__ c. Audio implants

__ d. iPods, iPads, and smart phone apps

19. A microradio movement surfaced in the 1990s and raised the ire of both broadcast regulators and the

industry; these microstations are referred to as:

__ a. LPFM

__ b. HDFM

__ c. MPX

__ d. AOR

20. The Communications Act of 1934 resulted in the establishment of what government agency?

__ a. The FCC

__ b. The FRC

__ c. The KFC

__ d. The FTC

21. Consolidation of radio ownership has had what effect on jobs in broadcasting?

__ a. No noticeable effect

__ b. Fewer jobs on all levels

__ c. More executive jobs

__ d. Increased on-air jobs

ANSWER SHEET

Chapter 1: Essay Questions

1. What is the current state of radio in terms of audience and listenership?

2. What are considered to be popular listening sources as an alternative to broadcast radio?

3. Describe the trade organization that represents radio and lobbies in Washington, DC.

4. On noncommercial radio stations, what are some of the sources of revenue?

5. What is meant by the term “frag-out”?

6. According to legend, Todd Storz and Bill Steward laid the ground work for what became Top 40 radio

by observing what?

7. Seventy percent of radio’s ad revenues come from what source?

8. To counter the sharp reversal of fortunes, many broadcasters formed local marketing agreements;

describe how they work.

9. What were some of the effects of the Telecommunications Act of 1996?

10. Who handles the buying and selling of radio stations these days?

11. What are some of the advantages of high definition digital radio broadcasting?

12. What has been the impact on listenership of satellite radio?

13. In 2013, what was the biggest challenge confronting Internet presence, and why?

14. Radio station websites offer what advantages?

15. What new technology and devices constitute the most popular mobile services for listeners?

16. A microradio movement surfaced in the 1990s. These stations are referred to as LPFM; describe this

broadcast alternative.

17. The Communications Act of 1934 resulted in the establishment of what government agency? What were

its predecessors?

18. Consolidation of radio ownership has had what effect on jobs in broadcasting?

Chapter 1: Essay Question Answers

1. What is the current state of radio in terms of audience and listenership?

Radio listenership remains resilient and robust across all delivery platforms. While overall

2. What are considered to be popular listening sources as an alternative to broadcast radio?

3. Describe the trade organization that represents radio and lobbies in Washington, DC.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is the trade organization. President Gordon

Smith, speaking to attendees at the group’s 2012 national convention, noted “. . . more than 241

million people listen to free radio every week.” Speaking at the same event, FCC Chairman Julius

4. On noncommercial radio stations, what are some of the sources of revenue?

Member stations are the primary source of funding for NPR. They contribute 60 percent of its

5. What is meant by the term “frag-out”?

Frag-out, a term coined by radio consultant Kent Burkhart, posed an ever-increasing challenge to

program directors (PDs) whose job it was to attract a large enough piece of the radio audience to

6. According to legend, Todd Storz and Bill Steward laid the ground work for what became Top 40 radio

by observing what?

Radio programmer Todd Storz and his assistant Bill Steward of KOWH-AM in Omaha,

7. Seventy percent of radio’s ad revenues come from what source?

Many stations walk a thin line between profit and loss. Though the medium’s earnings have

maintained a progressive growth pattern, it also has experienced periods of recession. These

8. To counter the sharp reversal of fortunes, many broadcasters formed local marketing agreements;

describe how they work.

To counter the sharp reversal of fortunes, many broadcasters formed local marketing (also called

management) agreements (LMAs), whereby one radio station leases time and/or facilities from

9. What were some of the effects of the Telecommunications Act of 1996?

As the medium entered the mid-1990s, it was doing more than just fine. The headlines in the

industry trade publications revealed exactly how well the medium had recovered: “Radio Draws

Advertisers as Economy Strengthens” (

Broadcasting

, May 1994), “Recovery” (

Radio Ink

10. Who handles the buying and selling of radio stations these days?

Today, brokerage firms handle the sale of many radio stations. “It’s difficult to overlook the

importance of Wall Street and the financial community in the future of radio,” notes Ed Shane.

Bill Campbell, co-owner of Blue River Communications, says the future is now. “Wall Street is

11. What are some of the advantages of high definition digital radio broadcasting?

Digital signaling heralds a new age in radio broadcasting. Jeff Tellis, former president of the IBS,

explains why. “The reason for the great interest in digital broadcasting is its considerable number

of advantages.” Among them are:

• Significantly improved coverage using significantly less power;

xDramatic improvement in the quality of the signal; compare CD to vinyl;

12. What has been the impact on listenership of satellite radio?

Radio broadcasters retain a wary eye on the ever-evolving digital audio services being made

available by satellite. It is the threat of increased competition that inspires concern for the new

and evolving audio options. Although broadcasters have long employed satellite programming and

network services to enhance their over-the-air terrestrial signals, the idea of a direct-to-consumer

13. In 2013, what was the biggest challenge confronting Internet presence, and why?

In 2013, the biggest challenge confronting Internet presence continues to be fees charged to

provide music. States Paul Kamp of Backbone Networks, an Internet radio service provider, “The

14. Radio Station websites offer what advantages?

15. What new technology and devices constitute the most popular mobile services for listeners?

The biggest competitive challenge to radio today is posed by a range of interactive devices (smart

16. A microradio movement surfaced in the 1990s. These stations are referred to as LPFM; describe this

broadcast alternative.

A microradio movement surfaced in the 1990s and raised the ire of both broadcast regulators and

the industry. The debate positioned the NAB against what it labeled radio “pirates.” After lengthy

reflection, FCC Chairman William Kennard proposed rule-making designed to legitimize these

17. The Communications Act of 1934 resulted in the establishment of what government agency? What were

its predecessors?

The Communications Act of 1934 charged a seven-member commission with the responsibility of

ensuring the efficient use of the airways, which the government views as a limited resource that

18. Consolidation of radio ownership has had what effect on jobs in broadcasting?

Today, the radio industry continues to employ tens of thousands, but with all the downsizing and

consolidation and the increase in new and competitive audio media, this figure has eroded and