KYOU: Podcast Radio

The illustration to the left - what looks like an Iwo Jima oil derrick-raising  - depicts the latest "idea" that's supposed to save commercial radio's sorry ass: Next week, KYCY (1550 AM) - an Infinity radio station in San Francisco - becomes KYOU: "Open Source Radio", broadcasting listener-submitted podcasts over the air. They'll also netcast and - in an excellent example of media-regurgitation - podcast.

I have a quibble with this. Technically, what KYOU will do is broadcast listener-submitted audio, since that audio isn't a podcast until someone downloads it to an MP3 player.

Being the innovators we are, once again it was WFMU that led the way on the idea of re-distributing listener-submitted audio. Our own Ken Freedman floated this concept for an FM frequency (WAJW) we owned in Michigan City, Indiana: you'd upload audio to a website where listeners could "program" the station by selecting submissions for subsequent broadcast to Chicago and environs (I doubt the Infinity model will allow listeners a voice in what actually makes it into the pipeline). This noble experiment never came to pass because - ultimately - we needed the money we made selling WAJW to WBEZ to buy our Jersey City home.

Image courtesy of kyouradio.com

Comments

[gleepleglorp]

It's a whole lotta smoke blowing. They're just looking for free content. Viacom knows how to keep it cheap.

http://www.boingboing.net/2005/05/13/xeni_tech_on_npr_pod.html
Viacom subsidiary Infinity Broadcasting launches "KYOURadio.com," the brainchild of pho list cofounder Jim Griffin.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/04/28/BUGETCGGLH1.DTL

[sighmoan]

The whole KYOU plan may well turn out to be a big shuck, but there must be something in the idea if you find it necessary to point out that 'WFMU thought of it FIRST'. The way I see it, as good as FMU is, it's never offered ME airtime -- so, seeing as how I actually live in San Francisco with its stinky broadcast radio, this seems like a situation where I have to put up or shut up about wanting to do a show.

[Chris T.]

WFMU never offered ME airtime either. First, 98% of our programming is live, coming out of our studios in Jersey City. We don't have much pre-recorded material or programs originating from other places.

Second, if you lived somewhere in the area and began hanging out at WFMU, volunteering - for instance - and decided, at some point, you'd like to submit an audition tape, you'd find it warmly received.

Take advantage of the KYOU offer, sure. But knock off the victimhood stuff: "WFMU never offered ME airtime..." Ha!

ALSO: I didn't "...feel it necessary". I thought I'd mention it since it's the case that the idea had been kicked around here. So sue me. And there IS something in the idea - but I have no faith in its execution if it's the same Infinity crew acting as gatekeepers.

[sighmoan]

Oh come on, Chris; you're being much too defensive about this KYOU thing (heck, maybe I am, too). And surely you don't think that I was seriously suggesting that FMU owes a personal invitation to each one of its listeners to become a DJ. But Jersey City area residents do, in fact, get such an offer in the form of The Listener Hour, and there's no reason that I am aware of for not doing a pre-recorded version of it. After all, WFMU "led the way on the idea of re-distributing listener-submitted audio" (or it would have if the idea hadn't been prioritized out of existence).

What irks me about your post, Chris, is your attitude that if it aint WFMU, then it's no good and could never be any good. WFMU uber alles, right -- if I lived there, you bet your ass I'd be down there volunteering for everything -- but it's not worth moving to NJ for, so take away your straw man. Your reactionary pissing may be forgivable in a former FMU show host, but I expect better from a newly-minted podcaster.

I do agree, though, that they shouldn't call it "podcast radio".

[JT]

Jeez, sighmoan, take a chill pill. Chris T dopesn't seem to be saying "If it ain't FMU, it's CRAP". He DOES seem to be saying "If major media companies are misusing buzzwords and miming ideas from non-commercial radio, they're really grasping at straws (and it's probably CRAP)." I agree with that idea, and I think you do; you're "arguing to agree." Gleepleglorp got it right: if Inifinity's looking into it, it's because it's just another way to avoid paying for a DJ.

[Chris T.]

Thanks for getting my back, JT.

Sighmoan, (if that indeed IS your name) how can you seriously say, "Jersey City area residents, do, in fact, get such an offer..."? Do you think we've got Mike Lupica out on the streets every morning sticking flyers under windshield wipers: COME ON DOWN & DO A SHOW! FMU NEEDS YOU! (Not a bad idea, eh Lupica?)

As to pre-recorded shows ("And there's no reason that I am aware of..."), the reason is simple: we try to keep the programming LIVE, as in IT'S HAPPENING NOW. It's been a point of pride with us that pre-recorded shows represent a very small portion of what goes out over the air.

What irks me about your comments is the huge chip on your shoulder. That "WFMU Uber Alles" crap is in YOUR mind. JT and Gleepleglorp got it right: Using podcasts as "programming" is just another way for Infinity to lower their operating expenses. I seriously doubt anyone submitting podcasts for broadcast will be compensated for their work. Infinity is probably hoping these folks will be so thrilled to be on the radio they'll donate their labor. If I'm going to donate my labor to any organization it's gonna be WFMU.

I also take offense at your "...not worthing moving to NJ for..." remark. Lots of listeners have based their apt and house-hunting decisions on whether or not they get WFMU or WXHD over the air.

Finally, I don't know what the hell "reactionary pissing" is but I HAVE learned this about human nature: people usually accuse you of the things they're guilty of. Stop your "reactionary pissing" Sighmoan (if that indeed IS your name) and jump on in for the big win. If you want to submit something for the listener hour, DO IT - and stop whining about living in the wrong city.

Love,

Chris T.

P.S. Stop expecting things of me, either as a former host or current podcaster.