The Future of Radio-Where will it go from here?

The future of radio is here my friends, and the very idea of it is at a crossroads. In this new day and age, radio is wondering where it will go from here. TV has already started its own revolution with on demand services, and being able to record you favorite shows from the click of a button. In an article from the Washington Post, "as the audience for AM and FM radio stations declines, start up entertainers and media alike search for the "next radio" (washingtonpost.com). As many offshoots of radio have risen, there is no sure signs that any of then will survive, including ones like "Rhapsody" (washingtonpost.com). No one really knows where or when the next version of radio will come about, but the industry makes one inference and that is that "Apple could only produce the next form of radio, even possibly one that eventually gains mass acceptance" (washingtonpost.com).

I believe that this will somewhat impact the industry, but not as much as TV. Radio, no matter what form, seems to be holding steady as it is and doesn't seem to be wavering whatsoever. People listen to radio stations and music day in and day out, and it is because of this that radio is able to stay afloat. I think it is important however that if the transition to a new form of radio is coming, it better get here somewhat quickly because I'm not sure how long those failing music forms will be able to hold up without it. This is important for the audience of radio as well because more and more people are turning to music sites such as Itunes, Frostwire, and things like that. If those people and the radio applications they are using right now can be content with what they are offered, then the wait for the new form of radio, whenever it comes will be well worth it. With the many forms of radio, like "satellite, online, and broadcast radio" (Eastman and Ferguson, 342-343) the industry is due for a new form, just like TV. Like in the article, the many forms of radio "whether it be XM, or terrestial radio, or even cable radio, along with Pandora and Rhapsody" these will be the forms of radio people will have to love for this moment in time. Yes the new form of radio is on the way, but it will take time to find out exactly who and where it will actually be coming from.

Info provided by www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/21/AR2008032101038_pf.html and Media Programming: Strategies and Practice by Susan Tyler Eastman and Douglas A. Ferguson