Radio - the cultural battleground

Radio The Cultural Battleground

Marconi

Marconi • First patent filed 1896

Marconi • First patent filed 1896 • Initially, the “wireless telegraph” was seen as an alternative way of transmitting Morse code using spark transmitters

Marconi • First patent filed 1896 • Initially, the “wireless telegraph” was seen as an alternative way of transmitting Morse code using spark transmitters • The real future of radio lay in continuous-wave transmissions

Reginald Fessenden

Reginald Fessenden • Canadian Scientist

Reginald Fessenden • Canadian Scientist • First audio broadcast (1900)

Reginald Fessenden • Canadian Scientist • First audio broadcast (1900) • First broadcast of music over the radio (1906)

Reginald Fessenden • Canadian Scientist • First audio broadcast (1900) • First broadcast of music over the radio (1906) • The first DJ!

Amateur Radio in the USA

Amateur Radio in the USA • The first two decades of radio broadcasting consisted of amateur broadcasts by anybody who could afford or make the equipment

Amateur Radio in the USA • The first two decades of radio broadcasting consisted of amateur broadcasts by anybody who could afford or make the equipment • In 1920, there were no radio stations as we know them today

Amateur Radio in the USA • The first two decades of radio broadcasting consisted of amateur broadcasts by anybody who could afford or make the equipment • In 1920, there were no radio stations as we know them today • In 1922, there were over 600!

US Commercial Radio

US Commercial Radio • The first commercial radio stations were started by the companies who made radio sets: RCA, GE, Westinghouse

US Commercial Radio • The first commercial radio stations were started by the companies who made radio sets: RCA, GE, Westinghouse • They wanted Americans to get hooked on buying Radios!

Next slide includes disturbing image

1920s Racial Strife

1920s Racial Strife • The 1920s saw an explosion in lynchings, the rise again of the Ku Klux Klan, and a rabid anti-immigrant movement.

1920s Racial Strife • The 1920s saw an explosion in lynchings, the rise again of the Ku Klux Klan, and a rabid anti-immigrant movement. • It was a time of enormous Anglo-American xenophobia and pride and racism.

1920s Racial Strife • The 1920s saw an explosion in lynchings, the rise again of the Ku Klux Klan, and a rabid anti-immigrant movement. • It was a time of enormous Anglo-American xenophobia and pride and racism. • In that context, music became a battleground.

Cultural Battleground

Cultural Battleground • Commercial Radio was now in a fight with the amateur “Mom and Pop” stations

Cultural Battleground • Commercial Radio was now in a fight with the amateur “Mom and Pop” stations • The big companies wanted to convince Americans that radio would be good for the country, so they played mainly classical music, to educate and uplift the masses

Cultural Battleground

Cultural Battleground • The “Mom and Pop” stations, on the other hand, were playing earthier stuff: popular music

Cultural Battleground • The “Mom and Pop” stations, on the other hand, were playing earthier stuff: popular music • Often, this was ethnic folk music from city tenements or jazz

A Cultural Turnstile

A Cultural Turnstile • Whereas society was arranged in ways that kept people apart, music on the radio broke down those barriers

A Cultural Turnstile • Whereas society was arranged in ways that kept people apart, music on the radio broke down those barriers • It gave people “an expanded sense” of their city and society

A Cultural Turnstile • Whereas society was arranged in ways that kept people apart, music on the radio broke down those barriers • It gave people “an expanded sense” of their city and society • Popular music transported people

A Cultural Turnstile • Whereas society was arranged in ways that kept people apart, music on the radio broke down those barriers • It gave people “an expanded sense” of their city and society • Popular music transported people • It was both dangerous and liberating

State Regulations

State Regulations • State regulations started to control both the content of broadcasts and the power of transmitters

State Regulations • State regulations started to control both the content of broadcasts and the power of transmitters • One reason was to prevent advertisers making false claims about their products - like quack medical cures

State Regulations • State regulations started to control both the content of broadcasts and the power of transmitters • One reason was to prevent advertisers making false claims about their products - like quack medical cures • Radio advertising in the 1920s was very similar to today’s email spam.

State Regulations • State regulations started to control both the content of broadcasts and the power of transmitters • One reason was to prevent advertisers making false claims about their products - like quack medical cures • Radio advertising in the 1920s was very similar to today’s email spam. • One “cure” for impotence involved the transplant of a goat’s penis!

High Culture

High Culture • Both the federal government and advertisers demanded “respectable” programming

High Culture • Both the federal government and advertisers demanded “respectable” programming • The big networks broadcast high-quality music with big-city sophistication – symphonies, Broadway show-tunes, all-string orchestras

High Culture • Both the federal government and advertisers demanded “respectable” programming • The big networks broadcast high-quality music with big-city sophistication – symphonies, Broadway show-tunes, all-string orchestras • It was the cultural elite, and was very “civil” and very popular – if only because of the quality of sound and playing

Old-Time Music

Old-Time Music • Many Americans didn’t want “high- brow” music dictated by the New York cultural elite, and didn’t like the “low- brow” jazz music, either

Old-Time Music • Many Americans didn’t want “high- brow” music dictated by the New York cultural elite, and didn’t like the “low- brow” jazz music, either • They tuned into “farmer” stations and border radio, and listened to what was then called “old-time music”

Old-Time Music • Many Americans didn’t want “high- brow” music dictated by the New York cultural elite, and didn’t like the “low- brow” jazz music, either • They tuned into “farmer” stations and border radio, and listened to what was then called “old-time music” • It was comforting and familiar to migrants living in big cities

Clear Channel Stations

Clear Channel Stations • Clear channels were created by the federal government for the major networks to broadcast from the cities and reach people in the countryside

Clear Channel Stations • Clear channels were created by the federal government for the major networks to broadcast from the cities and reach people in the countryside • Night time coverage of some stations was enormous

Clear Channel Stations

Clear Channel Stations • WSM Nashville mainly broadcast network programming from New York

Clear Channel Stations • WSM Nashville mainly broadcast network programming from New York • But once a week would broadcast the WSM Barn Dance

Clear Channel Stations • WSM Nashville mainly broadcast network programming from New York • But once a week would broadcast the WSM Barn Dance • In 1927, the Barn Dance was renamed “The Grand Ol’ Opry” as a joke.

The magic of radio

The magic of radio • Why do some radio signals travel further at night?

The magic of radio • Why do some radio signals travel further at night? • They bounce off the ionosphere (which used to be called The Heavyside Layer)

The magic of radio • Why do some radio signals travel further at night? • They bounce off the ionosphere (which used to be called The Heavyside Layer) • They bounce better at night, when the sun doesn’t interfere

The magic of radio • Why do some radio signals travel further at night? • They bounce off the ionosphere (which used to be called The Heavyside Layer) • They bounce better at night, when the sun doesn’t interfere t

The magic of radio • Why do some radio signals travel further at night? • They bounce off the ionosphere (which used to be called The Heavyside Layer) • They bounce better at night, when the sun doesn’t interfere • TV signals go off into space - to be heard by aliens in 100 t years’ time, perhaps!

The magic of radio t • Why do some radio signals travel further at night? • They bounce off the ionosphere (which used to be called The Heavyside Layer) • They bounce better at night, when the sun doesn’t interfere • TV signals go off into space - to be heard by aliens in 100 years’ time, perhaps!

The magic of radio t • Why do some radio signals travel further at night? • They bounce off the ionosphere (which used to be called The Heavyside Layer) • They bounce better at night, 3 when the sun doesn’t interfere • TV signals go off into space - to be heard by aliens in 100 years’ time, perhaps!

The magic of radio t • Why do some radio signals travel further at night? • They bounce off the ionosphere (which used to be called The Heavyside Layer) • They bounce better at night, 3å when the sun doesn’t interfere • TV signals go off into space - to be heard by aliens in 100 years’ time, perhaps!

The magic of radio t • Why do some radio signals travel further at night? • They bounce off the ionosphere (which used to be called The Heavyside Layer) 1 • They bounce better at night, 3å when the sun doesn’t interfere • TV signals go off into space - to be heard by aliens in 100 years’ time, perhaps!

Grand Ol’ Opry

Grand Ol’ Opry • Night time coverage meant that it had enormous reach and influence

Grand Ol’ Opry • Night time coverage meant that it had enormous reach and influence • The mix of string music with a deliberately rural and Southern accent appealed to rural people and city dwellers nostalgic for rural life

Grand Ol’ Opry • Night time coverage meant that it had enormous reach and influence • The mix of string music with a deliberately rural and Southern accent appealed to rural people and city dwellers nostalgic for rural life • Country music was a genre created by the medium of radio.

Border Radio

Border Radio • Broadcast from Mexico, outside US regulations

Border Radio • Broadcast from Mexico, outside US regulations • Powerful transmitters!

Border Radio • Broadcast from Mexico, outside US regulations • Powerful transmitters! • A million watts of radiated power

L Border Radio L L • Broadcast from Mexico, outside US regulations L • Powerful transmitters! • A million watts of radiated power L

L Border Radio L L • Broadcast from Mexico, outside US regulations L • Powerful transmitters! • A million watts of radiated power • Light bulbs went on by themselves! L

L Border Radio L L • Broadcast from Mexico, outside US regulations L • Powerful transmitters! • A million watts of radiated power • Light bulbs went on by themselves! L • Signals picked up by fences, bedsprings and dental fillings!

L Border Radio L L • Broadcast from Mexico, outside US regulations L • Powerful transmitters! • A million watts of radiated power • Light bulbs went on by themselves! ¢ L • Signals picked up by fences, bedsprings and dental fillings!

L Border Radio L L • Broadcast from Mexico, outside US regulations L • Powerful transmitters! • A million watts of radiated power ©L • Light bulbs went on by themselves! ¢ • Signals picked up by fences, bedsprings and dental fillings!

Television

Television U

Television • When television arrived in the 1930s, the major networks immediately U abandoned radio, thinking it was dead!

Television • When television arrived in the 1930s, the major networks immediately U abandoned radio, thinking it was dead! • Radio stations and transmitters were snapped up by small businesses

Television • When television arrived in the 1930s, the major networks immediately U abandoned radio, thinking it was dead! • Radio stations and transmitters were snapped up by small businesses • Programming was scaled down, often reduced to a DJ just spinning discs!

Top 40

Top 40 • Top 40 Radio emerged in the 1950s

Top 40 • Top 40 Radio emerged in the 1950s • Todd Storz was in a diner one evening and noticed that teenagers would simply play the same song on the jukebox over and over again

Top 40 • Top 40 Radio emerged in the 1950s • Todd Storz was in a diner one evening and noticed that teenagers would simply play the same song on the jukebox over and over again • A new radio format was born!

Radio Formats

Radio Formats • In the USA, there are now hundreds of different radio formats, most specialising in just one kind of music

Radio Formats • In the USA, there are now hundreds of different radio formats, most specialising in just one kind of music • 1 in 5 radio stations in the USA is a Country music station!

The BBC

The BBC • In the UK, the authorities were reluctant to allow the radio free-for-all that had taken place in America

The BBC • In the UK, the authorities were reluctant to allow the radio free-for-all that had taken place in America • The British Broadcasting Company was formed in 1922 by a group of wireless manufacturers, including Marconi

The BBC • In the UK, the authorities were reluctant to allow the radio free-for-all that had taken place in America • The British Broadcasting Company was formed in 1922 by a group of wireless manufacturers, including Marconi • The BBC broadcast a mixture of news, speech, and music

The BBC • In the UK, the authorities were reluctant to allow the radio free-for-all that had taken place in America • The British Broadcasting Company was formed in 1922 by a group of wireless manufacturers, including Marconi • The BBC broadcast a mixture of news, speech, and music • Became the British Broadcasting Corporation a few years later

“Inform, Educate, Entertain”

“Inform, Educate, Entertain” • BBC formed with a commercial purpose (to sell radios)

“Inform, Educate, Entertain” • BBC formed with a commercial purpose (to sell radios) • But the first Managing Director, John Reith, saw a higher purpose

“Inform, Educate, Entertain” • BBC formed with a commercial purpose (to sell radios) • But the first Managing Director, John Reith, saw a higher purpose • He admitted when he was hired that he “hadn’t the remotest idea what broadcasting was.”

Reith’s Vision

Reith’s Vision • Reith envisaged an independent British broadcaster able to educate, inform and entertain the whole nation, free from political interference and commercial pressure

Reith’s Vision • Reith envisaged an independent British broadcaster able to educate, inform and entertain the whole nation, free from political interference and commercial pressure • Reith believed in programming standards and a high moral tone

Reith’s Vision • Reith envisaged an independent British broadcaster able to educate, inform and entertain the whole nation, free from political interference and commercial pressure • Reith believed in programming standards and a high moral tone • His vision didn’t include popular music!

Home Service

Home Service • Initially, the BBC broadcast a National Programme and various Regional Programmes

Home Service • Initially, the BBC broadcast a National Programme and various Regional Programmes • At the Outbreak of World War 2, all stations were merged into the Home Service

Light Programme

Light Programme • In 1945, the Light Programme was launched

Light Programme • In 1945, the Light Programme was launched • It played light entertainment and music, often played by the BBC Orchestra or the Billy Cotton Band

Light Programme • In 1945, the Light Programme was launched • It played light entertainment and music, often played by the BBC Orchestra or the Billy Cotton Band • There wasn’t much room for Rock ‘n’ Roll!

Light Programme • In 1945, the Light Programme was launched • It played light entertainment and music, often played by the BBC Orchestra or the Billy Cotton Band • There wasn’t much room for Rock ‘n’ Roll! • The Third Programme, launched 1946, played Classical music

Border Radio!

Border Radio! • There was a gap in the market for popular programming, which could only be filled by stations on the continent

Border Radio! • There was a gap in the market for popular programming, which could only be filled by stations on the continent • Radio Normandie was first, between 1926 and 1939. It had a 25 kilowatt transmitter

Border Radio! • There was a gap in the market for popular programming, which could only be filled by stations on the continent • Radio Normandie was first, between 1926 and 1939. It had a 25 kilowatt transmitter • Radio Luxembourg followed

Pirate Radio! =

Pirate Radio! • In the 1950s, if you wanted to hear popular music, you tuned in to = Radio Luxembourg at night

Pirate Radio! • In the 1950s, if you wanted to hear popular music, you tuned in to = Radio Luxembourg at night • In the 1960s, a new form of radio emerged: pirate radio!

Pirate Radio! • In the 1950s, if you wanted to hear popular music, you tuned in to = Radio Luxembourg at night • In the 1960s, a new form of radio emerged: pirate radio! • These stations broadcast from outside the 4.5 mile territorial limit of the UK

North Sea Forts

Radio Caroline

Radio Caroline • The most famous pirate station was Radio Caroline

Radio Caroline • The most famous pirate station was Radio Caroline • Broadcast from ships in the North Sea and the Irish Channel

Radio Caroline • The most famous pirate station was Radio Caroline • Broadcast from ships in the North Sea and the Irish Channel • Adopted the style of US commercial radio

Controversy

Controversy The newspapers were always running stories about how Caroline was interfering with official communications

The Marine Offences Act

The Marine Offences Act • Made it illegal to fund or be associated with a pirate station from within the UK

The Marine Offences Act • Made it illegal to fund or be associated with a pirate station from within the UK • Made life difficult for the pirates - advertising was now illegal

The Marine Offences Act • Made it illegal to fund or be associated with a pirate station from within the UK • Made life difficult for the pirates - advertising was now illegal • Paved the way for BBC Radio 1

Radio 1

Radio 1 • 30 September 1967

Radio 1 • 30 September 1967 • Light, Third and Home Programmes renamed: Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4

Radio 1 • 30 September 1967 • Light, Third and Home Programmes renamed: Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4 • First BBC DJ, Tony Blackburn, had been on Caroline

Radio 1 • 30 September 1967 • Light, Third and Home Programmes renamed: Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4 • First BBC DJ, Tony Blackburn, had been on Caroline • First record played was “Flowers in the Rain” by the Move

Radio 1 • 30 September 1967 • Light, Third and Home Programmes renamed: Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4 • First BBC DJ, Tony Blackburn, had been on Caroline Blackburn introduced • First record played was jingles and inane DJ chatter to the BBC! “Flowers in the Rain” by the Move

Pirates Continue

Pirates Continue • Some pirates continued to broadcast, raising money overseas and by running roadshows

Pirates Continue • Some pirates continued to broadcast, raising money overseas and by running roadshows • Life for DJs was uncomfortable and hard

Caroline in the 70s

Caroline in the 70s • Caroline continued to broadcast from a rusting hulk, the Mi Amigo, until the early 1980s

Caroline in the 70s • Caroline continued to broadcast from a rusting hulk, the Mi Amigo, until the early 1980s • Eventually the Mi Amigo sank in a storm, and the DJs had to be rescued

Caroline in the 70s • Caroline continued to broadcast from a rusting hulk, the Mi Amigo, until the early 1980s • Eventually the Mi Amigo sank in a storm, and the DJs had to be rescued • Caroline’s policy was to play album tracks only, and it was still music you couldn’t hear on the BBC.

The Internet

The Internet • The internet is the new cultural battleground for “radio.”

The Internet • The internet is the new cultural battleground for “radio.” • Even Radio Caroline now broadcasts on the web!

The Internet • The internet is the new cultural battleground for “radio.” • Even Radio Caroline now broadcasts on the web! • Anyone can set up a podcast, but few pay a licence to play music

The Internet • The internet is the new cultural battleground for “radio.” • Even Radio Caroline now broadcasts on the web! • Anyone can set up a podcast, but few pay a licence to play music • Sites like Last FM allow you to set up your own mini station

Independent Learning Questions

Independent Learning Questions • How do radio stations decide what to play?

Independent Learning Questions • How do radio stations decide what to play? • How do new bands and artists get airplay?

Independent Learning Questions • How do radio stations decide what to play? • How do new bands and artists get airplay? • What is a Playlist?

Independent Learning Questions • How do radio stations decide what to play? • How do new bands and artists get airplay? • What is a Playlist? • What was the Payola Scandal?

Independent Learning Questions • How do radio stations decide what to play? • How do new bands and artists get airplay? • What is a Playlist? • What was the Payola Scandal? • Why are the media of popular music and radio so closely related?

Radio - the cultural battleground

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