Radio and Popular Music Flashcards
Unique features of radio:
Invisible medium- in the background (not a primary source of entertainment). It broke the boundary of geography in communication. It was a more efficient way to reach the masses than print. It changed concepts of home entertainment. Changed the economy- increased goods and services. A voice in every home to sell something.
Role of the Titanic:
First big event to be spread over the radio, but also revealed a flaw . In 1912 the Titanic sinks, and radio was used to call for help. But since so many voices were on the radio, in the chaos a clear message was not sent. People died because of this. The spectrum had been filled.
Early Development of Radio:
1900s- First human voice transmission using sound waves.
Radio evolved from maritime security to an educational medium, to an entertainment medium.
New Mass Media in Radio:
Defined by the technology that came before: movies built on photography- called motion pictures. Radio comes from telegraph. Television often called picture radio. When TV came out they used shows from radio which disappointed people cause they imagined the actors how they believed they would look, etc…
Radio Act of 1912
Amateurs can only use short wave radios to prevent ship’s radios from being interfered with. This also created the Federal Radio Commission (which became the FCC) to regulate broadcasting. Also created licensing standards. People didn’t like the government interfering but it was for the best. Radio had to serve peoples best interest.
Commercialization of the Radio Industry:
People thought that just the price of the radio would be enough. Advertising- 1922 apartment owner paid $50 to have an ad aired. Advertisers soon sponsored news/game programs. Allowed radio to provide free entertainment in depression era = golden age of radio.
Trends in U.S. radio that continue today:
Radio is government regulated but not government owned (mostly). Primarily local owned radio stations but connected to larger ones. Entertainment niche- mostly where it is today. Economic foundation is that money comes from advertisers.
Radio’s golden age:
From 1930s to 1940s. Early radios were home decor. Radio shows shaped current TV show types (sitcoms, anthology drams, quiz shows, soaps). Radio pioneers single sponsor programming. 1930s- first soap opera on the radio.
Fireside Chats:
A national message done by the president on a weekly basis while he sits by the fire.
War of the Worlds:
1938- Day before Halloween there was a dramatic retelling of the war of the worlds. People who tuned in late panicked. People got hurt because they thought that it was real.
Mediated Reality:
Suicide of British Nurse because of radio hoax/prank. Hindenburg Disaster happened on the radio in 1937.
Amos and Andy:
Two white people who dressed up in blackface did a show in a very stereotypical way. It was called Amos and Andy after the characters.
Radio Today:
Considered a secondary or background medium. Specialized stations with particular formats- news/talk/country/oldies.
Radio today engages solely in narrowcasting:
Narrowcasting is the process of targeting specific audience segments.
Roles of advertising?
Formats deliver specific audiences to advertisers.
