The History
Technically speaking radio has been around since 1895 with the first ever radio transmissions via morse code. This then lead to the electrophone in 1985 which allowed wealthy households to receive their news via phone call and audio experiments in 1905. In 1920 the first commercial stations started appearing which broadcasted voice and music. Years later in 1926, this lead to the establishment of the British Broadcasting Corporation commonly known as the BBC.
Why was radio so popular?
The golden age of radio took place during the 1920s - 1950s, during the 1940s popular UK radio shows reached upwards of 40% of the population and still continued to rapidly grow. This was down to many factors. It was new and popular resulting in large amounts of people wanting a radio to keep up with current trends, and it was cost effective. It was the fastest way to receive news as it was live meaning no more paying for newspapers with yesterday's news. It also had few competitors, the cinema and newspapers.
What factors have contributed to its decline?
Many factors have been the result of the radios decline, one major factor being television. 1950 was the starting point for televisions popularity, from there on it kept growing and growing. Within the space of 30 years every US home had a television, this may sound like the absolute fall of radio but it's just the beginning as television and radio are slightly different with television having picture. Radios biggest threat is still evolving to this day, the internet. Streaming and podcasts are developing everyday, creating the extinction of radio. Another factor is age, 88% of over 55s listen to live radio compared to just over 50% of 15-24 year old's. This means that when the inevitable day comes where all the older people pass on radio will be clinging on for dear life.
Is it in terminal decline? And if so why? Or alternatively, what do you think could keep it alive?
Shockingly, the radio as of now is not in terminal decline. The number of total weekly listeners have been holding steady for years and actually increased significantly during lockdown. However, people are spending a lot less time per week listening which could eventually have a negative outcome if it continues this way. What's keeping radio alive? there are two main factors that come to mind, the car and loneliness. The car is where majority of people listen to the radio as it's simply just there, it's tolerable. Loneliness became a huge factor during lockdown and has since continued, it's a voice in the background that can bring people comfort. Radio will more than likely meet terminal decline within the next few decades but as of now it's holding strong.
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