The History of The History of RadioRadio

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

The 1800s: Earliest BroadcastingThe 1800s: Earliest Broadcasting Maxwell (Theorized the existence of Maxwell (Theorized the existence of

electromagnetic waves as “luminous ether.”)electromagnetic waves as “luminous ether.”) Bell (Transmitting sounds by telegraph in 1877.)Bell (Transmitting sounds by telegraph in 1877.) Hertz (Invented the “spark-gap detector” which Hertz (Invented the “spark-gap detector” which

verified the existence of electromagnetic waves.)verified the existence of electromagnetic waves.) Marconi (Invented radio in 1895. First radio Marconi (Invented radio in 1895. First radio

company in London, 1897.)company in London, 1897.)

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

1900-1930: The Industry Gets 1900-1930: The Industry Gets StartedStarted Who Was First? (KDKA in 1920).Who Was First? (KDKA in 1920). RCA’s Risk (Sarnoff, NBC, 1922 World Series).RCA’s Risk (Sarnoff, NBC, 1922 World Series). CBS’s Move (New York Philharmonic and CBS’s Move (New York Philharmonic and

Philadelphia Symphony orchestras join with the Philadelphia Symphony orchestras join with the Columbia Phonograph Company).Columbia Phonograph Company).

William S. Paley (the “Tiffany Network”).William S. Paley (the “Tiffany Network”).

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

Communications Act of 1934: Federal Communications Act of 1934: Federal law bringing most telecommunications law bringing most telecommunications under oversight of one agency and board under oversight of one agency and board of commissioners.of commissioners.

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

1930-1945: Pivotal Historical 1930-1945: Pivotal Historical PeriodPeriod Great Depression in 1929, with more Great Depression in 1929, with more

one-third of the work force joblessone-third of the work force jobless a growing number of Americans tuned a growing number of Americans tuned

in their radios for relief and in their radios for relief and psychological support.psychological support.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “fireside chats”Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “fireside chats” http://www.history.com/audio/fdrs-fireside-chathttp://www.history.com/audio/fdrs-fireside-chat

-on-dust-bowl#fdrs-fireside-chat-on-dust-bowl-on-dust-bowl#fdrs-fireside-chat-on-dust-bowl

The History of RadioThe History of Radio1930-1945: Pivotal Historical Period1930-1945: Pivotal Historical PeriodWar of the WorldsWar of the Worlds ““Actor Orson Wells narrated a 1938 Halloween Actor Orson Wells narrated a 1938 Halloween

tale of Martians landing in New Jersey, based tale of Martians landing in New Jersey, based on H.G. Welles’ on H.G. Welles’ War of the WorldsWar of the Worlds. The show’s . The show’s disclaimer failed to register with Americans disclaimer failed to register with Americans already primed for disaster on the eve of world already primed for disaster on the eve of world war.”war.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs0K4ApWl4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs0K4ApWl4gg

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

1945-1960: The “Golden” Age1945-1960: The “Golden” Age

AM Radio – Still ThrivingAM Radio – Still Thriving

78 and 33 1/3 RPM Records78 and 33 1/3 RPM Records

Transistors Make Radios SmallerTransistors Make Radios Smaller

Formats – Rotating Blocks to “Top 40”Formats – Rotating Blocks to “Top 40”

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

1960-1980: Radio’s Transformation1960-1980: Radio’s Transformation

FM Increases PopularityFM Increases Popularity

April 1961: FCC approval of Zenith-GE standards April 1961: FCC approval of Zenith-GE standards

for FM broadcasting. The FCC mandates that for FM broadcasting. The FCC mandates that

stations needed to generate new content for FM stations needed to generate new content for FM

bands.bands.

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

1960-1980: Radio’s Transformation1960-1980: Radio’s Transformation Public Radio Act of 1967Public Radio Act of 1967

““After the adoption of the Public Broadcasting Act of After the adoption of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, the FCC licensed more than 1,500 radio 1967, the FCC licensed more than 1,500 radio stations as “noncommercial educational”…. Many stations as “noncommercial educational”…. Many of these stations would receive federal money of these stations would receive federal money distributed through the Corporation for Public distributed through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – a fact that annoyed commercial Broadcasting – a fact that annoyed commercial broadcasters envious of such subsidies.”broadcasters envious of such subsidies.”

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

1980-Present: Radio Challenges 1980-Present: Radio Challenges Talk RadioTalk Radio

A Chance to Talk BackA Chance to Talk Back

PersonalitiesPersonalities

Relaxed Rules on OwnershipRelaxed Rules on Ownership 1980 Deregulation1980 Deregulation

More Stations per OwnerMore Stations per Owner

Localism and ProfitsLocalism and Profits

Satellite RadioSatellite Radio

1987 Repeal 1987 Repeal Fairness Fairness DoctrineDoctrine

A requirement that stations provide equal time A requirement that stations provide equal time to all parties regarding important public issues to all parties regarding important public issues and equal access to airtime for all candidates and equal access to airtime for all candidates of public office. of public office.

As a result: Extremely partisan radio and As a result: Extremely partisan radio and television programming. television programming.

NarrowcastingNarrowcastingMedia SegmentationMedia Segmentation

The History of RadioThe History of Radio

The Digital FutureThe Digital Future RadioRadio

Digital BroadcastsDigital Broadcasts

Internet StreamingInternet Streaming