The beginning of the end for FM radio

[stevenash]

Steely Dan, the jazz-rockers who scored a hit in 1978 with their single FM (No Static At All), would not be pleased.
In what will likely be the first of a global transition to digital radio, Norway has announced it will switch off its FM band, becoming the first country to do so. Norway will start turning off FM radio on January 11, 2017, and plans to stop transmission of the last FM signal to the country's northernmost regions by Dec. 13 of that year.


The announcement, made by their Ministry of Culture, makes Norway the first country to do away entirely with FM radio. The move is intended to save money and allow a full transition to digital radio, which Norway argues will give listeners "access to more diverse and pluralistic radio content and enjoy better sound quality and new functionality."
In its statement, the Norwegian government said the cost of transmitting national radio channels through the FM network is eight times higher than via the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) system, the standard digital radio technology used across Europe. By shutting off FM, Norway's national radio channels will save more than $25 million a year, according to official figures "releasing funds for investment in radio content," argued minister of culture Thorhild Widvey.
"This is an important day for everyone who loves radio," said Thor Gjermund Eriksen, head of public broadcasting network NRK, in a statement. "The minister's decision allows us to concentrate our resources even more upon what is most important, namely to create high-quality and diverse radio content to our listeners."


The DAB system in Norway already offers 22 national channels, compared to just five on the FM band, and has the capacity for 20 more. A recent survey by TNS Gallup found that 55 percent of Norwegian households have at least one DAB-equipped radio.
Norway has long been a digital radio pioneer. NRK launched the world's first DAB channel on June 1, 1995. Other Scandinavian countries as well as the U.K. are thought to be considering an FM switch-off by 2022. The digital rollout in other European countries has been slower, with old FM radio still proving more popular in several territories.

[itchypickle]

Good riddance I say

Pandora will eventually be outdated as well but definitely can't see FM staying around even with that iHeart radio app they are trying etc.

[stevenash]

Podcasts are ruling audio universe right now.
The whole landscape has changed, at least AM has enough sense to recognize it can exist as an information, talk, and sports outet.

FM is dead in the water

[Snowball]

this is nonsense. some news site must really want page hits on a slow day.
digitial conversion has nothing at all to do with air transmission of Fm frequencies.
the transition from analog to digital did nothing but enhance television.
the same occurs for radio.
a similar situation occured in movies, when the cinemas transitioned from physical film
to digital files recently. some movie houses didn't want to pay to change to the new technology
and closed down. some movie houses still use film, but the new films are no longer produced
as physical film.
just because one network in norway doesn't want to pay to make the equipment adjustment
doesn't mean others won't see the opportunity there.
those in the US who moved from cable/satellite to internet tv are also using free digital
over-air transmitted channels, which are now offering many channels for free live air
transmission. even shortwave radio is not dead at all.
FM and AM radio are not going anywhere. they are only getting upgraded slowly
just like television.

[thechaoz]

I haven't listened to fm in years..so many free music apps and Google play for my music

[stevenash]

FM is dead Snowball.
New cars are now being equipped with satelite radio, AM/FM tuners aren't going to be an option.
New cars are being sold with XM/Sirus and such.

Over 1/2 of Americans use smart phones for their music, soon to be 2/3 of Americans.

FM formats suck too, that's another reason people don't listen, I'm in the biggest market in the world, tri-state NY/NJ/Ct market.
This is what we got, two major sports outlets WFAN and ESPN radio, we got five or six HOT 97 type stations, two classic rock stations, four hip hops, that's pretty much it.

I don't like hip hop, I can't listen to Stairway to Heaven and Start Me Up by the Stones anymore, I've heard every classic rock song so many times I can't take it anymore.

I'm a huge Killers fan, even if you are not, but love other Indie rock, you ain't getting it on FM.
My wife loves country, I have to admit some of it is good, and even though market research shows the only two music genre's that turn a profit is country and hip hop/rap, there is not one country outllet in the NYC market.

Another thing, studies show radio advertisements are despised by consumers, another reason why people are abandoning FM.

It's over for FM, even those in the industry admit it.

[mcaulay777]

I used to love FM Radio all I did from about the mid 70s to late 80s was listen to the radio .I loved to travel around the country to listen to the different radio stations, Back then each city had all kinds of different formats and sounds. But then I believe it was Clinton who changed radio by letting companies own more then one station in each city and that ruined radio. Kwest,Kroq,Kmet KLOS and a collage radio station ksac at that use to play hard core punk was the stationed I listen too. But today each city has the same format Kiss fm in every city classic rock station fm sports awful.

[stevenash]

I used to love FM Radio all I did from about the mid 70s to late 80s was listen to the radio .I loved to travel around the country to listen to the different radio stations, Back then each city had all kinds of different formats and sounds. But then I believe it was Clinton who changed radio by letting companies own more then one station in each city and that ruined radio. Kwest,Kroq,Kmet KLOS and a collage radio station ksac at that use to play hard core punk was the stationed I listen too. But today each city has the same format Kiss fm in every city classic rock station fm sports awful.

There was a world famous station out of NYC in the late 60's, 70's, 80's WNEWFM 102.7
Greatest rock and roll FM station before the corportate change.
Each and every OAP (DJ) was the program director for their show.
Free form radio, no play list, and the OAP's were the best in the business, Vin Scelsa, Pat St. John, Pete Fornatele, Richard and Danno Neer, Carol Miller, Allison Steele, etc etc etc.

You got to hear everything from punk, to Hot Tuna, to jazz/rock.
No more.

[Andy117]

FM is dead Snowball.
New cars are now being equipped with satelite radio, AM/FM tuners aren't going to be an option.
New cars are being sold with XM/Sirus and such.

Over 1/2 of Americans use smart phones for their music, soon to be 2/3 of Americans.

FM formats suck too, that's another reason people don't listen, I'm in the biggest market in the world, tri-state NY/NJ/Ct market.
This is what we got, two major sports outlets WFAN and ESPN radio, we got five or six HOT 97 type stations, two classic rock stations, four hip hops, that's pretty much it.

I don't like hip hop, I can't listen to Stairway to Heaven and Start Me Up by the Stones anymore, I've heard every classic rock song so many times I can't take it anymore.

I'm a huge Killers fan, even if you are not, but love other Indie rock, you ain't getting it on FM.
My wife loves country, I have to admit some of it is good, and even though market research shows the only two music genre's that turn a profit is country and hip hop/rap, there is not one country outllet in the NYC market.

Another thing, studies show radio advertisements are despised by consumers, another reason why people are abandoning FM.

It's over for FM, even those in the industry admit it.

I remember when Booker on K-Rock played "Mr Brightside" twice in a row because he liked it. He even made a comment about how he was gonna get in trouble but didn't care. I also miss WXRP, I was so pissed when that station was sold to FAN.

[stevenash]

I remember when Booker on K-Rock played "Mr Brightside" twice in a row because he liked it. He even made a comment about how he was gonna get in trouble but didn't care. I also miss WXRP, I was so pissed when that station was sold to FAN.

With the introduction on how the Killers really came about.

[pattymayo]

I don't like hip hop, I can't listen to Stairway to Heaven and Start Me Up by the Stones anymore, I've heard every classic rock song so many times I can't take it anymore.

I'm a huge Killers fan, even if you are not, but love other Indie rock, you ain't getting it on FM.
My wife loves country, I have to admit some of it is good, and even though market research shows the only two music genre's that turn a profit is country and hip hop/rap, there is not one country outllet in the NYC market.

Another thing, studies show radio advertisements are despised by consumers, another reason why people are abandoning FM.

It's over for FM, even those in the industry admit it.

there are at least 2 country stations in the tri-state area.. Try 94.7 or 106.3. I lived in Central NJ, now in NYC, and both come in great.

[stevenash]

I can't get 94.7, too much static.
I'm in Fairfield Ct
Certain areas it comes in fine though

[smitch124]

I just listen to the voices in my head. They are very musiccal.

[muldoon]

Actually

Satellite radio - even with no competition is still struggling.

With cheap data becoming available to the majority of the population, streaming to pandora/spotify in vehicles is what forecasters predict is where in car music is headed.

[mpaschal34]

Actually

Satellite radio - even with no competition is still struggling.

With cheap data becoming available to the majority of the population, streaming to pandora/spotify in vehicles is what forecasters predict is where in car music is headed.

i think fanduel pays for all of satellite radio with the amount of advertising they do on it.

[muldoon]

i think fanduel pays for all of satellite radio with the amount of advertising they do on it.

If the ad ends with "use promo code" - then it's an affiliate who bought the spot.

[chipper]

All I listen to anymore are podcasts. FM could disappear off my dial and I wouldn't even miss it.

[ttwarrior1]

never will happen here and more are listening to fm radio here than ever before. Who cares about other countries including canada

[Big Bear]

agreed good riddance.

they play the same songs over and over and too many commericials

[muldoon]

never will happen here

You're from Kentucky. You guys are still fighting the VHS vs. Betamax wars.

FM radio is high tech and still on the horizon.

[TheMoneyShot]

I purchased XM Radio in 2008 for the Lifetime Subscription $499.99

Yep, I probably spent too much. But it keeps me happy.

[Lookingtostart]

The real reason has more to do with this:

http://dutchsinse.com/4202015-five-new-haarp-type-arrays-being-built-norway-shutting-down-fm-radio-the-real-reason-why/

Quote the literature on the EISCAT 3D project:

https://eiscat3d.se/sites/default/files/E3D_ProjectStatus_January_2015.pdf

“The EISCAT_3D system will consist of five phased-array antenna fields located in the northernmost areas of Finland, Norway and Sweden, each with around 10,000 crossed dipole antenna elements. One of these sites (the core site) will transmit radio waves at 233 MHz, and all five sites will have sensitive receivers to measure the returned radio signals.”

[teaserpleaser]

podcasts and amazon prime/had mog cant remember the last time I used FM radio probably in 2012 when I was stuck in a truck for 16 hours a day ... commercial breaks and corny djs are a thing of the past.

[Grits n' Gravy]

never will happen here and more are listening to fm radio here than ever before. Who cares about other countries including canada

you look like a whale's vagina.

[jjgold]

you look like a whale's vagina.

Gritter tell us your thoughts on Balt and how the destruction was justified by your people..maybe grow some balls and take a position for once in your life.

thanks

[Grits n' Gravy]

Gritter tell us your thoughts on Balt and how the destruction was justified by your people..maybe grow some balls and take a position for once in your life.

thanks

well baldy, since you asked....the destruction of your own neighborhood is embarrassing and idiotic. the kids doing the damage need to make good on the damage they caused. putting them to work rebuilding is a start. picking up some history books and learning to understand how the system in us works is the next step for these kids. until the findings come out on what took place in his death i will withhold judgement.

another position i am making very clear here for you baldy is if i see you anywhere in vegas you are going to the hospital afterwards for a lengthy stay.

[Microphone]

Actually

Satellite radio - even with no competition is still struggling.

With cheap data becoming available to the majority of the population, streaming to pandora/spotify in vehicles is what forecasters predict is where in car music is headed.

Pandora, which sounds like FM on steroids. Playlists as shallow as puddles. SXM Satellite a big step up, as is Google Play and hundreds of music services. AM news and sports signals (like south of me WFAN and WEEI Boston) migrating to FM. Think beginning of the end of AM radio should be the headline here, but FM on it's tail. Who has a radio in their house anymore? You go right to the net and that's where many NCAA contracts/networks are headed.

Consultants ruined it all and the stories above tell the story and have brought down such behemoths as WNEW in NYC and WBCN in Boston. They think what people like in Raliegh NC is what people like Pueblo, CO. Nope, sorry, buzzer.

[Mase of Base]

If you're a music junky FM radio is fantastic imo (late night radio FTW!). I love listening to the smaller radio stations that play the music I like and can't imagine driving my car to work without radio then getting in the work truck and setting up my survey gear with the door open listening to the radio all day. For the record I'm a fan of indy rock, house (deep, tech) drum and bass, where the good shit's hard to find. Good luck with most of those tunes on spotify etc

Most days I find a new artist/track that I can't wait to get home to and find.

Also don't believe that America of all places doesn't have little indy radio stations playing new and obscure music all day.

For fans of terriblely overated pop music yeah I can see FM dieing, the big musos corperations will find a way to feed the next miley syrus shitshow down those folks mouths.

[jjgold]

well baldy, since you asked....the destruction of your own neighborhood is embarrassing and idiotic. the kids doing the damage need to make good on the damage they caused. putting them to work rebuilding is a start. picking up some history books and learning to understand how the system in us works is the next step for these kids. until the findings come out on what took place in his death i will withhold judgement.

another position i am making very clear here for you baldy is if i see you anywhere in vegas you are going to the hospital afterwards for a lengthy stay.

yeh and you will be in jail and I own everything you have..lol hit me even once and its over for you and I get out of debt!!