Back when I started in broadcasting at the tender age of 12 doing a local bit for our FFA chapter of Hazzard High School, radio in fact most media including TV was 85% LIVE. From sitcoms to TV talk shows and even news it was LIVE. Radio was LIVE. We had radio personalities in the studios doing local radio and someone from our community was in that announcers chair. There was very little pre recorded anything except for ads and music. Then came an outfit called Drake - Chanault who introduced many small broadcasters in mall towns that by being a point of delivery of Drake's broadcasting, that they could save money and do away with at least two shows or radio hosts a day. Except for what broadcasters call prime drive time, mornings and afternoons as folks were going home during the day the studio sat empty. Except for an on air board, a computer and satellite programming coming from who knew where. Forget calling in for your favorite song, it just was not there. Sure the satellite network said call in on an 1-800 number but by the time you got through the person doing the hosting from some eastern area station studio was off the air. Well the FCC has heard from you and is mandating as of 4-28-2008 that local stations become just that more local. That means someone has to be in that studio chair 24/7/365 or else no renewal of that FCC ticket that allows them to be on the air. TV will have to be doing about the same. Some stations like our KPIF CH-15 the CW here in Chubbuck Idaho will have to have at least a local news broadcast and a bit more if it wants its FCC tag renewed or at least renewed without being put under a heavy duty microscope by the entire commission. Now I can see issues on both sides. The needs of he public to have someone from their town that they know is important. On the same road just in another lane, where do you find that on air talent? I predicted this need back 25 plus years ago in Boise at the Western Idaho State Fair when I pitched the idea to Boise State University as they were taking a survey of courses of interest and need. BSU heard my pitch but here in Eastern Idaho that noise has been purtty much been ignored. When Dixie Diesel Trucker Radio first signed on in 1976 in Hazzard, it was done to be absolutely LIVE. Dixie Diesel Trucker Radio and its flagship station KTOW FM has remained LIVE 24/7/365, done by members of the Hazzard County Road Warriors Association along with off duty members of the United American Independent Truckers Association, which the availability of on air talent is one major part of our media arms decision on where to place a working station of our network. The training is not out there as much as it used to be and maybe this new order by the FCC might put a boot in the butt of some college area administrators to create training for such. Sure many large Universities have 4 year journalism courses, but how about a 1 year training program in the VO-TECH arena to teach basic on air skills, and enable future radio and TV hosts to gain an on air presence to be able to be that soon to be required on air personality that is a big question. To my friend over at KPIF , hey Brian , I told you once , I'll tell you again there is a low cost way to get your localism problem solved but your not visiting me perhaps you need to, that is if KPIF wants to renew its license next year. My thoughts on this and more can be heard on Cable access channel 12 here in Pocatello, Mondays from 5pm to 6pm , Wednesdays from 2:30pm to 3:30PM and on Friday's 5:00pm to 5:30PM. Until L8R
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