STATE OF THE FIFTH ESTATE

Chapter 1

Set your course. The important thing is whereyou want to go from here.

Anonymous

STATE OF THE FIFTH ESTATE

Chapter 1

I. In The Air--Everywhere A. Listenership 1. Percentage listening 2. Hours listening B. Receivers

II. A Household Utility – The First Steps A. Point to Point Communication B. Individuals Involved with Development of Radio 1. Heinrich Hertz 2. David Sarnoff

III. A Household Utility – The First Steps A. Assigned Frequencies B. Firsts Among Stations 1. KQW, San Jose, CA* 2. WEAF, New York City 3. KDKA, Pittsburgh, PA

IV. Birth Of Networks A. The Rise of Networks 1. NBC 2. CBS 3. Later Networks a. MBS b. ABC B. A Medium of Sound

V. Conflict In The Air* A. Wireless Ship Act of 1910 B. Radio Act of 1912 C. Radio Act of 1924 1. Federal Radio Commission established 2. Established as a unique service

VI. Radio Prospers During The Depression A. The Golden Age of Radio B. Entertainers Become National Celebrities

C. Block Programming 1. Development of Soap Operas 2. Sponsor’s Control of Talent Selection 3. Block Programming’s Demise 4. Block Programming Today

VII. Radio During World War II

VIII. Television Appears

IX. A New Direction A. Transistor Invented B. Music Becomes a Mainstay

X. Radio Rocks And Roars

XI. FM’s Ascent A. Amplitude Modulation (AM) vs. Frequency Modulation (FM) 1. Spectrum location

2. Characteristics a. FM has a smaller area of coverage b. FM has greater fidelity

B. Growth of FM 1. Slow to develop a. lack of FM receivers b. poor quality recordings 2. Government assistance a. stereo introduced b. simulcasting limited

3. New formats develop a. beautiful music b. progressive music C. AM’s Challenge

XII. AM Stereo

XIII. Noncommercial Radio A. FM Spectrum Location B. Corporation for Public Broadcasting C. Noncommercial Station Categories

XIV. Proliferation And Frag-Out A. Narrowcasting B. Hyperspecialization

XV. Profits In The Air A. Profits Vary From Greatly from Year to Year B. AM Radio in Greatest Need 1. Specialized formats 2. Spectrum space expanded

XVI. Economics And Survival A. LMAs (Local Marketing Agreements) B. Duopoly Rules Relaxed C. Satellite-Supplied Stations

XVII. Consolidation And Downsizing

XVIII. Buying And Selling

XIX. DAB Revolution

XX. Cable And Satellite Radio

XXI. Radio On-Line A. Internet Web Sites B. Interactive Radio

XXII. Radio And Government Regulations A. Laws Enacted to Regulate Radio B. The Radio Code C. The Fairness Doctrine

D. Public Affairs Programming Demise E. Ownership Restrictions Lifted

XXIII. Jobs And Equality In Radio A. Minorities are Actively Sought B. Radio is More than On-Air Work C. Education can be Beneficial