Chapter 7 - Sound

1. Come up with a list of 5 radio stations in the Utah area (choose from FM and some AM stations - music and talk). Write a description of each station including format, advertising, and target audience. What makes each station successful?

2. Radio is described as "the most personal of the media," why is that? Why do you think music is an important part in radio programming? Why is talk radio so popular?

Radio is the most personal of the media because of the interaction we can have with the radio stations, the DJ's, and the advertising. While growing up, I used to listen to Radio Disney all the time. What made it so fun was that little kids (like me) could call the station and win prizes, make a comment about something, or vote on a song to play over, or to get rid of. Radio's rely heavily on the listeners and their reactions. This is why radio is so personal.

Music is a big part in radio programming because radios only use one sense - our ears. We can only listen to what is being played. This makes it crucial for the stations to appeal to their listeners because they only get one way to do it.

Talk radio is popular because it goes back to the "personal" factor. Two people on a radio station are able to talk however, and on whatever they want to, while getting the listeners feedback by having people call in and participate in the conversation. In times like these when there are so many controversial issues in America, we turn to talk radio.

Chapter 6 - Newspapers

      1. Many metropolitan daily newspapers have lost circulation and some have shut down. Why? Any examples? Community newspapers however,especially suburban weeklies, are booming. Why? Any examples?

      In the news world today, the internet seems to be the fastest, easiest, and most up-to-date way to receive news.  It's free and you can get it off your phone, on your lap top, or any where else you can get the internet.  I think the internet has made a huge impact on newspapers today.  I know a lot of people don't subscribe to newspapers anymore.  My parents just moved to a different part of the state, and I highly doubt they'll order the newspaper anymore, just because they can get it so easily on their computers and it's cheaper.  I know most of my siblings don't get the newspaper either.  We are coming to a generation where the internet is starting to take over a lot of the news business.  I just looked up an article on the New York Times that said they were laying 550 people from their company. 

       Community newspapers, on the other hand, are probably getting more business because they hit closer to home.  In a community newspaper, you can find out about local news, like what's happening with the people you know. By doing research over the internet I found out that the suburban papers are doing better because of their increase in circulation, readership loyalty, and ad revenues. Examples of booming newspapers are the Washington, D.C. suburban papers, which are booming right now.