RADIO BROADCASTING

Radio is everywhere as its signals reach every nook and cranny. It is

wonderful to hear that there are 6.6 radio receivers on average in American homes.
Indian official radio broadcaster, All India Radio reaches 98.25 per cent of the
population of India. Remember that India is the second largest populated country in
the world. According to an estimate, there are 111 million radio sets in Indian
households. John Vivian, describing the ubiquity of radio, says: “People wake up
with clock radios, jog with headset radios, party with boom boxes and commute with
car radios. People listen to sports events on the radio even if they are in the
stadium.” According to Arbitron, a company that surveys radio listenership, more
people receive their morning news from the radio than from any other medium.

Brief History of Radio- Origin and growth

Discovery of electromagnetic induction by Michael Faraday in 1831. Samuel Morse’s

invention of the Telegraph in 1842 prompted scientists to find out ways to transmit
messages over the air. Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi succeeded in it in 1895.
For further development of the mechanism, he started the Marconi Company in
England and started the commercial production of radio transmitters for military
purposes. Marconi’s device was sophisticated by Reginald Fessenden and started
transmission of sound over radio transmitters instead of textual signals.

US inventor Lee De Forest made radio transmission much clearer with his Audition
vacuum tube. He also envisaged stations sending continuous music, news and other
programs over radio waves. The idea came to be known as broadcasting.

The first radio stations were set up in Pittsburg, New York and Chicago in the 1920s.
Following the USA, European countries also started radio stations for broadcasting
news and entertainment content. Colonial powers like Britain and France set up
radio stations in Asian and African countries in the early years of the 20th century.

Radio
Radio is one of the most important means of communication. Millions of people
depend on the radio for news and other programmes. The portability and the low
price of mass-produced radio sets have contributed to the popularity of this medium.
Like many other inventions, the radio developed from many people's theories and
experiments. It was in 1895 that Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor, sent the first
radio communication signals through the air. In 1901, Marconi‘s radio equipment
sent radio signals across the Atlantic Ocean from England to Newfoundland. Later,
experimental radio broadcasts began in 1910 in the US. Regular radio services
began in many countries in the 1920s.

Development of radio in India

The Radio Club of Bombay broadcasted the first radio programme in India in June
1923. Radio clubs were formed in Calcutta and Madras in 1923 and 1924,
respectively. It was followed by the setting up of a broadcasting service that began
broadcasting in India in June 1927 on an experimental basis in Bombay and
Calcutta. In 1930, the Indian Broadcasting Company handed over the Bombay
station to the Government, and it was renamed the Indian State Broadcasting
Service (ISBS). Later it was renamed All India Radio on June 8, 1936. Transistor
was invented during World War II. This invention set the tone for the popularisation
of the radio around the world. Short-wave transmission began in India in 1938. The
launching of the External Service Division of AIR in 1939 soon followed it.

Radio in the post-independence era

At the time of independence, the AIR network had only six stations located in Delhi,
Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Lucknow and Tiruchirapalli, with a total of 18
transmitters. The target audience of these radio stations was urban listeners. As
against a mere 2,75,000 receiving sets at the time of independence, today, the
number would be countless, taking into account the radio sets and the mobile
phones that provide radio service. The broadcast scenario has drastically changed,
with 197 stations with 305 transmitters, including 145 medium waves, 55 short
waves and 105 FM transmitters, providing radio coverage to 97.3% of the
population.

Radio is a widely used mass communication medium. It has great potential to

disseminate information and provide education and entertainment to millions of
people. With the advent of transistors, radio reached the common man in urban and
rural areas of India. However, the optimum use of this medium is made by the rural
population as their access to other media is limited. It has advantages over other
mass media like television and newspapers because it is handy, portable, easily
accessible and cheap. It is the most portable of the broadcast media, being
accessible at home, in the office, in the car, on the street or beach, virtually
anywhere at any time.

Radio as a mass medium has great relevance in a country like India, even amidst
the overwhelming presence of television and the new media. The vast majority of the
rural population in India has no power supply, so their access to television sets is
limited. All India Radio‘s programmes remain the only source of information and
entertainment in these areas.

Characteristics of radio as a mass medium

1. Radio is a cost-effective medium

Radio sets are not at all a luxury now, unlike in the olden days, when radio sets were
not affordable for ordinary people. Advancements in technology made radio
production and transmission less expensive. Unlike other media, the production
format is sound, which can be produced at a minimum rate.

2. Radio is a public medium

Radio can be accessed by any number of people simultaneously without much
technical paraphernalia. Anybody can listen to the radio as a background medium
and does his job.

3. Radio is accessible to illiterates

Literacy is not a prerequisite for listening to the radio. Because of these
characteristics, it has become a popular medium in developing and less
economically developed countries. The majority of the population in these countries
is illiterate. They show a special affinity towards radio as they can overcome the
deficiency of illiteracy through radio programmes.

4. Radio is a mobile medium

We can listen to the radio while we are moving. As Vivian explained earlier, we can
listen to the radio while driving a car, jogging, walking or doing any job.

5. Radio is a background medium

The speciality of a background medium is that it can be used while doing other jobs.
Housewives listen to the radio while preparing food in the kitchen. Given this feature,
radio is now available with home appliances as an inbuilt gadget.

6. Radio is an audio medium

Being an audio medium, radio is accessible to the visually challenged.

7. Radio needs less energy

Radio consumes very less energy. In that sense, it is an environment-friendly
medium. Since radio sets can also be operated with batteries, it became popular in
remote villages where electricity is inaccessible.

8. Radio is a speedy medium

Radio is the fastest medium as it requires less time for preparation and transmission.
Instant live broadcasting with a few pieces of equipment is possible in the radio
section. These characteristics extend the scope of radio as a mass medium.

Radio as a Broadcasting medium

Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and/or video content to a dispersed

audience via any electronic mass communications medium. Broadcasting is defined
as the dissemination of messages through transmission over radio and television
that provides for reception by the public. Broadcasting is usually associated with
radio and television, though radio and television transmissions take place using both
wires and radio waves. The receiving parties may include the general public or a
relatively small subset; the point is that anyone with the appropriate receiving
technology can receive the signal. The field of broadcasting includes a wide range of
practices, from relatively private exchanges such as Amateur (ham) radio and
Amateur Television (ATV) and closed-circuit TV, to more general uses such as public
radio, community radio and commercial radio, public television, and commercial
television.

Scope and challenges of radio

Radio has played an important role in the communication industry and has also
revolutionised it. Once, it was considered to be the backbone of the industry and
people used to tune to the frequencies and get information from across the world.
Radio is an audio medium, so it does not require the listeners to be educated. Even
an illiterate can listen and understand the information. This way, radio has made the
whole communication process more effective and abstract.

Scope of radio

● Cost-efficient
Radio is an affordable mass communication device. One need not invest much to
buy a radio. This is a boon for those who cannot spend much because of limited
funds. Once a transistor radio is purchased, messages flow constantly, and no cost
is involved for the reception of messages.

● Easy to handle
The size of the radio is not big. Hence, it can be accommodated easily at any place.

● Mobility
One can take a radio with him if he wishes to go somewhere. It is a mobile medium
of communication. Radio does not require captivity. Listeners can receive messages
even when they are working.

● It does not require electricity.

Radio can be operated using batteries. This was the reason why it got wide
acceptance even in rural India, where there is limited electricity.

● Pan-Reach
Radio reaches virtually everyone in many environments. Radio messages reach
illiterates, neo-literates and highly educated receivers simultaneously.

● Greater reach
Radio has penetrated into society at almost every level. Almost every family in the
country has one radio set.
 ● Pulse of community
Radio is more local than global. People listen to the radio to find out what is
happening in their community, such as special events, news, traffic updates, weather
reports, sport, entertainment etc.

● Influential
Radio influences consumers. It is the medium to build top-of-mind awareness.

● Theatre of the Mind

Radio enables its listeners to picturise in their mind the scene according to vocal
deliverance over it. The want of visual effect is compensated by sound effects, both
natural and mechanical, and so the live effect is moderately high. The quality of
voice and sound makes communication fairly enjoyable.

● A Competitive Medium
The growth of national talk and music station networks and growth in affair
promotions has made radio more attractive to national advertisers and more
competitive with national media. Radio can localise a national or even global issue.

● Most Persuasive
Radio, as a medium of communication, has a great reach among audiences, and
they rely upon the messages. Hence, it acts as the most persuasive medium for
people. Radio has the capacity to deliver instantaneous messages.

● Cost of Production
The production cost of a radio program is less than the production cost of other
media.

Challenges of Radio

● Visual news stories should be considered more credible. Radio lacks it. It is
also not suitable for visual art programmes like dance etc.
● Information cannot be retrieved. We would not keep a record of radio
programs. Although it has become possible to record radio programmes
nowadays, it is available to a small number of audiences.
● One cannot go back and re-listen to the message.
● Radio programmes have many commercials in a row, due to which the
listeners lose interest.
● The possibility of Misinterpretation is high. It solely depends upon the
intelligence and mindset of the listeners on how they perceive the messages.
● Cluttered Information: Sometimes, the audiences listen to messages on the
radio and get confused. Listeners need much imagination; therefore,
 understanding the message depends largely on the characteristics of the
receivers.
● Communication is time limited and presents tiny fragments of topics in a
haphazard mosaic. The medium has also limitations because of its audio
nature.
● Receivers cannot stop listening to parts of the message/ information/
Programme for subsequent listening at their convenience.

Future of Radio
Television broadcasting has proliferated in our country with multiple channels and
24-hour broadcasting in the last decade. Thus television, as a mass medium
disseminating information and entertainment, has made deep inroads into our
society. However, this has not been done at the cost of replacing the medium of
radio. Radio still continues to be a prime medium for millions of people in our
country. It is a cheap medium with the largest reach, especially in remote areas.
Besides, radio can provide local-specific, culture-specific and dialect-specific
broadcasts. All India Radio brings programmes in 24 languages and 146 dialects.

The organisational structure of a radio station

The radio is one of the crucial inventions of the 20th Century, which has changed the
overall meaning of the term mass communication. The parallel changes in
technology have made the radio more powerful regarding its impact on the masses.
Radio reaches almost everyone everywhere. Radio involves the process by which
messages are sent through electrical waves. In other words, the sound would be
sent and received through the waves.

Functioning of a Radio Station

A radio station comprises three different wings

1. Programme wing
2. Engineering wing
3. Administration wing

The programme wing and Engineering wing are responsible for running a radio
station’s broadcast, while the administrative wing provides all the support that is
required for the functioning of the station.

The management or administrative Department looks into Human Resources (HR),

Public Relations (PR), Accounts and Business areas.

The Programme department is led by a Programme Director who oversees

programmes' planning, research and production. There are two types of staff-
a) On-air talent like DJs who may not be regular staff,
b) Production Directors, Programme Executives who supervise programmes.

Some radio stations have a Sales Department consisting of Account executives,

Advertising managers, and sales representatives.

Working of a Radio Station

Radio management is a multifaceted activity. A radio station is where radio

programmes are produced and transmitted to a heterogeneous mass audience
spread over a large geographical area.

The station directs various programmes at certain hours to specific audience groups.
Radio station management involves coordinating several specialised activities;
programming, engineering, sales promotion, business administration, etc. To control
each and every station, there are different departments with heads.

Radio Studio

A radio studio is soundproofed and hemmed with shielding in the walls to prevent
any unwanted sound from coming in. It is done so that the listeners can get the clear
voice of the presenter or the music or any other thing. The studio has a sound lock,
heavy doors, and walls shielded with perforated wooden panels to meet these
standards.

The studio looks nice with proper air-conditioning. Two rooms in a radio studio are
discussed above, where the technicians sit and work. The other is smaller than the
previous one but the same in specifications. The announcer or the presenter uses
this room with a microphone in front of the table. The microphone has a windscreen
to ensure clarity of sound and to keep extraneous noise to the minimum, such as the
sound of a popping ‘P’. There will be a computer, CD players, tape decks and a
mixer. This is the actual broadcast studio from where presenters make
announcements. The studio also has a VU Meter to measure the sound output level.
Besides the on-air studio, every radio station has a production studio where
commercials are assembled and music is recorded.

Control Room

It is the main technical area of the radio station. Every recorded voice, either
announcement or from a CD player or computer, is sent to this room. From here,
these things are sent to the transmitter. Further, they are transmitted to the listeners.
The control room occupies an important place in the radio broadcast. The console
controls audio mix from live or recorded sources. It is the place connected with all
the other segments of the broadcast. The technicians control the process of
receiving sound waves and transmitting them further. There is no time gap in the
whole process.

Studio->Control Room-> (CR) ->Transmitter (XTR) ->Listener

Transmitter

Transmitters are devices which transmit sound signals to the listeners. It is generally
located outside the city boundaries. The transmitters have different capacities, such
as 1 KW to 100 KW, 200 KW or 250 KW or above. Their locations are decided
according to their capacity. A 1 KW transmitter is normally installed in the vicinity of
the studio, whereas the high-power transmitters are installed outside the city. It is the
transmitter through which we receive the radio broadcast on our sets. It is big in size
as compared to other types of equipment installed in the studio or the control room.

Radio Frequency Spectrum

Radiofrequency (RF) spectrum refers to the range of frequencies that can be used
for communication purposes, including broadcasting, wireless communication, and
radar. The RF spectrum is divided into different bands, each with a specific range of
frequencies and assigned for specific uses such as television broadcasting, mobile
phones, Wi-Fi, GPS, and others. The use of the RF spectrum is regulated by
government agencies to prevent interference and ensure efficient utilization of this
limited resource. The RF spectrum is a finite and valuable resource, and demand for
its use is constantly growing, making effective management of the RF spectrum a
critical issue for both industry and government.

It is sometimes referred to as the radio spectrum or radio wave spectrum. Generally,

the radio spectrum ranges between 30 kHz to 300 GHz. We know that an
electromagnetic spectrum contains a wide frequency range within it. And the radio
frequency spectrum is a part of this electromagnetic spectrum. In the
electromagnetic spectrum, energy travels in the form of waves. Radio waves occupy
the lowest frequency range in the electromagnetic spectrum with greater wavelength.
Hence it is said to be the lowest frequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

A shortwave radio is a radio that can transmit shortwave frequencies. The shortwave
radio frequency band does not have an exact definition. Mainly, shortwave
frequencies are frequencies between 3 to 30 MHz. These kinds of radio signals can
reflect on the water and bounce off certain surfaces. They are mainly used for
distanced communications. Generally speaking, shortwave radios can catch
shortwave radio signals from all around the world.
Longwave radios are radios that can catch long-wave radio signals. These types of
radio signals can travel a very long distance. During travel, these types of signals
consume and use much power. On top of everything, they have a frequency range of
1.5-30 MHz.

How does shortwave differ from longwave?

Shortwave radios use higher frequencies than longwave radios. This means they
can send and receive signals over a greater distance. Shortwave radios are often
used for international communication, while longwave radios are more commonly
used for domestic communication.

Types of Radio wave

These types of electromagnetic waves can be generated either naturally or

artificially. Natural sources include lightning or astronomical phenomena. At the
same time, artificial sources can be radar, satellites, radio towers, etc.

Radio waves are mainly classified as:

AM radio waves: These are amplitude-modulated radio waves in which the
amplitude of the carrier wave is modulated according to the amplitude of the
message signal. It carries communication radio signals in the range of 540 to
1600 kHz.

FM radio waves: These are frequency-modulated radio waves where the

frequency of the carrier wave is altered according to the modulating signal.
However, FM radio waves have a frequency ranging from 88 to 108 MHz.

FM radio waves are less subjective to noise than AM radio waves. This is so
because AM receivers interpret noise even as a part of the information signal. Since
noise causes variation in amplitude thus, FM is less prone to added noise because
only frequency varies and amplitude remains constant in the case of FM signals.

Suppose we have a radio station at 92.8 FM. So this means that this radio station is
broadcasting FM signals having a frequency of 92.8 MHz. This megahertz unit
denotes the occurrence of millions of cycles in one second.

Types of radio Stations

National Radio

These types of radio stations have a nationwide reach. It caters to listeners from
almost every corner of the country. In India, the national channel of All India Radio
(AIR) transmits centrally originated news bulletins in Hindi and English, plays, sports,
music, news, spoken word and other topic-based programmes to a major part of the
country’s population, fully reflecting the broad spectrum of national life.

Regional and Local Radio

These types of radio stations broadcast to listeners in smaller areas, from within a
community, depending upon the transmission signal. In India, the AIR has regional
stations in various states. The AIR also has local stations at various places to cater
to listeners from that particular area.

Community Radio

It is a type of radio service that caters to the interests of a particular community. It

broadcasts programmes in the local dialect. The programmes are popular and
relevant to the local audience. For running a community radio station, licensing is
necessary. Community radio is run by and for a particular community, often with the
aim of promoting social development, cultural diversity, and democratic participation.
These stations are typically non-profit organizations and are often staffed by
volunteers. They focus on local issues and provide a platform for community
members to express themselves, share news and information, and participate in
public discourse. Community radio has been found to play an important role in
empowering marginalized communities and giving them a voice.

Anna FM is India‘s first campus ̳community‘ radio, launched on 1 February 2004,

which is run by Education and Multimedia Research Centre (EM2RC). Radio Mattoli
in Mananthavady is a regular and well-managed community radio station in Kerala.

Satellite Radio

In this type of radio station, the broadcast is done through satellite signals rather
than an antenna, allowing it to reach a wider area. The sound quality of programmes
relayed by this type of radio station is also higher. One needs to have a subscription
to listen to satellite radio stations. e.g., world space satellite radio

Satellite radio is just what its name suggests: a radio service that uses satellites to
broadcast its programming. World Space (founded in 1990 by Noah A. Samara) is
the only private satellite radio platform so far in India. World Space was free-to-air
when it was launched in 2000, but since then has become a paid service, offering
over 40 radio channels in several Indian languages and in various genres, from Jazz,
Classical, Old Hindi Film Music and Rock. The Indian Government‟s Department of
Science plans to set up its own multi-media satellite radio platform to provide satellite
radio, video and data channels, according to a Consultation Paper on Satellite Radio
(2005) issued by TRAI. However, satellite radio is not likely to take off in the country
because it requires special radio receivers and as long as subscription costs remain
unaffordable.

Radio stations can also be classified as Commercial and Non-commercial stations.

AM and FM

Technically, radio operation is divided into Amplitude Modulation (AM) and

Frequency Modulation (FM). The intensity and frequency of the carrier wave are
constant. It varies to correspond with the fluctuations of the speech or music
received at the microphone. This is called modulation.

Amplitude Modulation (AM)

In a broadcast, the radio waves are impressed on the carrier wave in a manner to
cause its power to vary with the audio waves. The frequency of the carrier remains
constant. This is called Amplitude Modulation (AM). In Contemporary times, AM
competes with FM and various digital broadcasting services distributed from
terrestrial and satellite transmitters. In many countries, the higher levels of
interference experienced with AM transmission have caused AM broadcasters to
specialise in news, sports and talk shows, leaving transmission of music mainly to
FM and digital broadcasters. AM transmission covers large distances. However, the
sound fidelity is less.
E.g., Akashvani in India

Frequency Modulation (FM)

Frequency Modulation (FM) broadcasting is used to transmit high-fidelity sound

programmes. It has a regional and local reach. Many-a-times it is based on a locality
or community. Every country has a prescribed FM band, which means the frequency
band is assigned to a country. FM channels are considered to be more entertaining
rather than providing information and educating people.
E.g., Radio Mango in Kerala

The first FM broadcasting in India was in the year 1977 at Madras. In the
mid-nineties, when India first experimented with private FM broadcasts. The small
tourist destination of Goa was the fifth place in this country of one billion, where
private players got FM slots. The other four centres were the big metro cities: Delhi,
Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Stations followed these in Bangalore, Hyderabad,
Jaipur and Lucknow.

Some of the major companies have their radio channels in India

1. Reliance Group (BIG FM)
2. Sun Network (SURYAN FM, RED FM)
3. Asianet Communications (BEST FM)
4. BCCL Group (RADIO MIRCHI)
5. Manorama Publications (Radio MANGO FM)

Internet Radio

Online radio (also internet radio, web radio, net radio, streaming radio, e-radio, and
webcasting) is an audio service transmitted via the internet. Broadcasting on the
internet is usually referred to as webcasting since it is not transmitted through
wireless means.

Online radio involves streaming media(multimedia that is constantly received by and

presented to an end user while being delivered by a provider), presenting listeners
with a continuous stream of audio that typically cannot be paused or replayed, much
like traditional broadcast media. Online radio is also distinct from podcasting, which
involves downloading rather than streaming.

Carl Malamud pioneered online radio. In 1993, Malamud launched ‘Internet talk
radio’, the ‘first computer-radio talk show, each week interviewing a computer expert
daily. On November 7, 1994, WXYC (89.3 FM Chapel Hill, NC USA) became the first
traditional radio station to announce broadcasting on the internet.

Internet radio services offer news, sports, talk, and various music genres- every
format available on traditional broadcast radio stations. Many internet radio services
are associated with a corresponding traditional (terrestrial) radio station or radio
network. However, low start-up and ongoing costs have allowed a substantial
proliferation of independent Internet-only radio stations. Internet radio services are
usually accessible from anywhere in the world with a suitable internet connection; for
example, one could listen to an Australian station from Europe and America. This
has made online radio particularly suitable and popular among listeners. Online radio
is also suited to listeners with special interests that are often not adequately served
by local radio stations.

MyOpusRadio.com (India’s first internet radio station for international music

launched in October 2008), Radio Maria (USA), 3KND (Australia), and CHEV
(Canada) are some examples of online radio stations.

Campus Radio

Campus radio station that is operated by students or faculty members at a college or

university. These stations often serve as a platform for students to express
themselves, showcase their talents, and discuss issues relevant to the campus
community.
Campus radio stations can vary in format and programming, ranging from music and
entertainment to news and current events. They often provide opportunities for
students to gain hands-on experience in radio production, broadcasting, and
journalism.

Campus radio stations can also serve as a valuable resource for the campus
community, providing a platform for important announcements, event promotion, and
community outreach. They can also help foster a sense of community and belonging
among students, faculty, and staff.

Overall, campus radio stations offer a unique and important platform for students to
develop their skills, express themselves, and engage with their campus community.

New Trends in Radio Broadcasting

Radio has challenged traditional forms of communication. Today, both people and
advertisers prefer radio as a favourite medium. Day-by-day new trends are emerging
in the radio industry. There are two types of radio networks currently in use around
the world: the one-to-many broadcast network commonly used for public information
and mass media entertainment, and the two-way radio type used more commonly for
public safety and public services such as police, fire etc. Cell phones are able to
send and receive simultaneously by using two different frequencies at the same
time.

The broadcast type of radio network is a network system that distributes

programming to multiple stations simultaneously or is slightly delayed to extend total
coverage beyond the limits of a single broadcast signal. Nowadays, most radio
stations are more homogenised and centralised. This has led to the democratisation
of radio. Today, there are a few competitors to challenge the mindshare of traditional
radio, such as the Cell Phone, the social phenomenon of the i-pod and satellite
radio. There is also the availability of apps like Pandora and MOG. News and
weather updates, as well as Celebrity gossip, can be delivered more efficiently.
Personalised music experience is the highlight of radio now. Radio shifted to
e-commerce too. When every single listener is a potential buyer, when every
recommendation is more personalised, it changes the entire phase of music
marketing. Once everything is for sale, radio stations may evolve into the largest,
most profitable affiliate marketers ever. All songs are ads. Radio content is readily
available through smartphones.

Today major radio stations meet audience needs through creative, strategically
placed content across their social media outlets and drive conversations across all
digital platforms-like in on-air programs.

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) has emerged as the latest trend in radio
broadcasts. DAB technology arose from a European Project called Eureka-147, and
broadcasting using this technology was launched by the BBC in 1995 in the London
region. It transmits sound as computer code rather than as analogous waves; like
Compact Disk (CD) technology, it provides interference-free sound. Though primarily
an audio medium, it can also carry multimedia services such as text, data files,
graphics, pictures and moving video. Thus DAB listeners can listen to music
accompanied by information and pictures on their computer screens. There are other
uses too for the technology: it can carry tourist and travel information to computer
terminals, transmit traffic information to cars equipped with a multi-media DAB
receiver, and send data to notebook computers and mobile phones. The radio
industry is in a familiar yet precarious position entering 2011 — traditional revenues
are sustainable enough to continue with decent returns. Still, there’s not enough
money to invest in the digital transition without re-evaluating some business
fundamentals. The result is that the emerging trends will not be revolutionary as
much as evolutionary, and the key will be finding those points where traditional
methodologies and digital extensions converge most effectively.

Forms of Radio in the Modern Era

Right from Ham radios (Amateur radios) to Podcasting, Internet radio, webcasting
(since not transmitted broadly by wireless means) and satellite radio services with
DTH. Satellite radio broadcasters are slowly emerging, but the enormous entry costs
hinder them. Of space-based satellite transmitters and restrictions on available radio
spectrum licenses have restricted the growth of this market. E.g., XM Satellite Radio,
Sirius Satellite Radio and world space. As technology for sound recording improved,
an increasing proportion of broadcast programming used prerecorded material. A
current trend is the automation of radio stations. Some stations now operate without
direct human intervention by using entirely pre-recorded material sequenced by
computer control.

Podcasting

Podcasting is a method of distributing digital audio files over the internet for users to
download/listen to on their own schedule. It typically involves creating and publishing
episodic content, often in a series, that can be streamed or downloaded in Audio
Streaming apps.
To create a podcast, one needs a microphone, recording software, and hosting
service that will allow the podcast to be published on the internet. Once the podcast
is recorded and edited, it can be uploaded to a hosting service, such as Apple
Podcasts, Spotify, or SoundCloud, where listeners can subscribe to the podcast and
automatically receive new episodes as they are released.
Podcasting has become a popular form of media, with a wide range of topics and
genres, from news and current events to comedy and storytelling. It has also
become a platform for independent creators to share their work and build an
audience without the need for traditional media outlets.