Realistically, it should be axed, barely any radio jobs these days....... and I wonder how many international students were in the program, complete scam as there would be no job prospects for them. 

The blacksmith and pyramid building courses need to be saved too!

Saul wrote:

You're kidding, of course. Or are you here for the death watch?
 

Now Now Saul, that is (like it or not) a perfectly valid reason to be part of a radio forum.  I loved radio as a younger listener, when it was a more present and relevant part of life.  Plus, when I was in it at the start, it felt more vital to be part of.  Now???  Yikes.  More layoffs, overly-researched playlists, and overly consulted.  And these "improvements" don't make for better radio; they ready the medium for survival.  That doesn't exactly shout vitality and fresh air to me.

I once compared viewing current radio news to viewing the events of September 11th, 2001 unravel, but across the Hudson safely in Jersey.  It's a grave thing to watch, but you can't look away.  The medium is withering away, all of the strong legacy talent is disappearing, and I'm left wondering, "Why on earth would I EVER want to tune in?"

If your comment ruled the SOWNY Forum, it would become just like the Facebook Radio Station Lounge, whereby you had better be part of the echo chamber that is most radio people.  Don't DARE speak about it negatively, or you're done for.  Well, it's perfectly OK to talk smack about a dying medium, EVEN on SOWNY.  Why?  Because that is in fact the reality of radio and linear television.  I think something should always be looked at from all angles.

My two cents, er... OK dollars!

Jody Thornton wrote:

I once compared viewing current radio news to viewing the events of September 11th, 2001 unravel, but across the Hudson safely in Jersey.  It's a grave thing to watch, but you can't look away.  The medium is withering away, all of the strong legacy talent is disappearing, and I'm left wondering, "Why on earth would I EVER want to tune in?"

My question is, why on earth would any young person want to choose a career in radio nowadays when the internet has opened up so many other options to express their creativity, and quite possibly, be successful at it too?

Many of us older guys and gals chose radio (or TV) because that's all there was at the time. If I had some of the options available over 30 years ago that are available now, I might've had second thoughts about entering the field of traditional media.



PJ

Jody Thornton wrote:

Podcasting is NOT the new radio, contrary to what a lot of radio apologists think.  It's on-demand, not regulated and not local (usually) to a region.  It's more like audio-YouTube.  It's more subject/topic oriented and specialized.

Not to mention, podcasting is often a game of hit-and-miss and trial-and-error in terms of figuring out what works and what's successful. That's not something that can really be taught in the traditional sense, IMO.

Most of these courses that are tacking on podcasting and social media into their curriculum seem to be doing it in a last-ditch effort to stay afloat, and many that are still pushing the narrative that these broadcasting courses are still vital are the instructors themselves.


PJ
 

Jody Thornton wrote:

So what would you adapt the courses to? Podcasting is NOT the new radio, contrary to what a lot of radio apologists think. It's on-demand, not regulated and not local (usually) to a region. It's more like audio-YouTube. It's more subject/topic oriented and specialized. Would you teach podcasting?
I guess what I'm asking is, in your mind, what replaces regulated radio?  Where does it go next?

Worthwhile questions. Like I said, you don't kill radio arts and related college programs. You adapt them to evolve with the times.

It's a matter of envisioning what radio might possibly look like in 10, 20, even 50 years down the road. It might or might not be regulated in the same way it is currently; quite possibly not at all, at least in terms of content. The delivery vehicle of AM and FM, and the radios we all grew up with and cherish, will also give way to devices and delivery systems that will in some form be more or less online-based, some very small, some activated in entirely new ways. There will be more interactivity. Potentially an unlimited number of channels or venues. Audio and video will be more integrated, and I'd expect a (likely lesser) role and place for print and even still images. Some of what I'm describing is already here.

I was perhaps a bit flippant by the term 'deathwatch' - particularly given that my DX hobby benefits in part when closer-in stations go off the air and thus leave room for more distant signals to sneak in. I do agree that AM's days are numbered in Canada. It makes sense in a country with relatively few AM stations to convert to FM. Though big urban areas have little FM space unless FM expands. AM simply sounds awful with the option of more appealing alternatives. There are so many AM stations left in the US that I think the band will last a little longer there. But it's disappearing across much of Europe, and to varying degrees elsewhere. FM will last a little longer. I give it a few decades, but it too will eventually be replaced. But AM and FM, and over-the-air TV for that matter, are just delivery trucks. As are newspapers and magazines. The digital world is here and its impact and presence will only intensify; so maybe this is a good time to realize that, while we are radio buffs, it's the content that actually matters, not the platform.

So, to suggest shuttering radio arts programs is severely short-sighted. Actually, the task at hand for educators is to take stock of the breadth of what is already offered and fashion courses and programs to suit new and evolving needs and realities. Canada has several stellar journalism programs at the college and university level. With so much online so utterly fake and unprofessional, it's imperative that we continue developing talent and skill. Otherwise, instead of meticulously prepared investigative journalism, we get the rumour mill, AI bots, and propaganda machines.

Colleges and universities have a variety of communications and related technology programming that can also be woven into the mix. We have film and acting schools. Clearly few media pros are going to be doing pure radio DJing, as we know it now, years from now. But the sky's the limit for something like the Marsbar Theatre, and even podcasting (which could be greatly enhanced). There will be space for great and compelling content in various ways, shapes and forms - likely, as I said, morphing with video and other presentation systems. You or I might run an entire station from home, or have a 'program' we self-syndicate; wouldn't it be great to actually know what we're doing, hone our creative, technical and other related skills, perhaps meet fellow collaborators, and approach it all like a pro?
 

Should be replaced with "How to be an Influencer 101" - includes building your personal brand through bullshyt lies and testimonials, a lame ass podcast and website, building social media channels using AI and filters for content generation, to enhance your crap, and grow your bot audience, a Youtube channel, and how to make money through fooling your audiences with clickbait.

Last edited by Johnny B (February 27, 2025 11:34 am)