RaDiO

Professor Carpenter asks,

"Are you primarily a commerical AM, commercial FM, or non commercial FM radio listener? When do you listen to the radio most frequently? Which are your favorite formats? Why?


My response to this format in essay style is as follows:




Everyone is suggesting that AM and FM Radio are headed down a troubled and unsure

path. I feel this is due in great part to the emergence of a third broadcasting medium, known as

satellite radio. XM Radio was incorporated in 1992, but only in the past ten years has everyone

jumped on the satellite bandwagon, and off of commercial radio.

I choose to listen to all broadcasting formats. My mother and/or father drove me to school

everyday, and we would always listen to morning radio shows. My interest in which station has

changed, but the habbit of sipping my coffee, collecting my thoughts and listen to the morning

commentary has never changed. When I lived in Virginia, of course I listened to one of the most

popular morning shows in our nation; "Elliot in the Morning" on D.C. 101. I like this show and all

morning shows for that matter because I feel the most connection and input from the outside

world and radio is done threw morning radio shows. I honestly have not found a show that I like

more than Elliot, so morning shows like "Lex and Terry" will have to suffice. I must comment on

one pf my favorite FM Radio pastimes. I can always remember Sundays riding to church and

listening to "Kacey Kasem's Top 40 Countdown". It would be in the high numbers on the way,

and by the time church let out it was at the number one song. Today Kacey Kasem has in own

countdown broadcasting on XM Radio, but it's not nearly as well recieved as America's Top 40.



Besides the occasional NASCAR Race or Redskins Game, I tune in to AM Radio only for "All

Things Considered." This is another show my parents are accredited. I like the show for its'

variety of news, interveiws, commentaries, reviews and many other offbeat features. Robert

Siegal is the commentator that I love to hate. Although I do not agree with many of his

standpoint, especially political, I can not help but want to know what he thinks. Melissa Block I

really detested at the age of sixteen, because she always took an over-protective standpoint

when it came to raising children, and my father always followed them. But now, I enjoy hearing

her reports, especially outside of the studio- she truely brings you wherever she is.



When I actually listen to music on the radio, I switch to my XM. It does have the appeal

of less commercials and variety of music. I know that XM has their own commentaries and

morning shows, yet I can not let go of AM and FM. Therefore, just like newspapers I am

worried about the futures of commercial AM and FM Radio. I feel the shows I listen to are close

to me, part of why I am who I am, and definitly are irreplaceable. I hope the rest of the mass

media feels the same