££Radio is described as “the most personal of the media,” why is that? Why do you think music is an important part in radio programming? Why is talk radio so popular?
I have never heard that statement before, so answering it took some thought. I suppose that radio could be considered more "personal" than other types of media simply because it is involved in the music industry. Music speaks to people, and speaks to people's emotions, more directly than many other types of media.
Television and movies could also be considered "personal" kinds of media, for the same reason: they create an emotional response in people. However, I think that radio should be considered more personal than either of those, for two reasons.
First, because radio is specified and localized. Movies and TV shows are meant for national or international audiences. While there are some radio stations, like NPR, that are focused on reporting national news, for the most part, radio stations are limited to one or two counties. That way, talk radio, advertisements, even the music played, can all be personalized to the personality of the community. Radio seems to be the last localized medium left--magazines, TV, the internet, books, newspapers, virtually any other type of media is sold to national audiences.
The second reason radio is more personal is because people can have a shared experience while listening to it, but they can also communicate during the experience. A few days ago, my friend and I were listening to the radio when "I Kissed a Girl," by Katy Perry came on. We think the song is awful, but also hilarious, so we sang along for a few lines. Suddenly, my friend broke off and asked me if I remembered the time we were driving up to Utah together, and we spent hours singing along to musicals. The conversation continued from there, with Katy Perry and eventually other artists as comfortable background music. With things like TV, movies, or newspapers, the experience is generally a lonely one. Sure, you laugh with your friends during movies. But having a conversation during them is generally frowned upon. That's why radio is so personal--because people can talk and make connections with one another with the radio as a background or foundation or conversation topic.
I have never heard that statement before, so answering it took some thought. I suppose that radio could be considered more "personal" than other types of media simply because it is involved in the music industry. Music speaks to people, and speaks to people's emotions, more directly than many other types of media.
Television and movies could also be considered "personal" kinds of media, for the same reason: they create an emotional response in people. However, I think that radio should be considered more personal than either of those, for two reasons.
First, because radio is specified and localized. Movies and TV shows are meant for national or international audiences. While there are some radio stations, like NPR, that are focused on reporting national news, for the most part, radio stations are limited to one or two counties. That way, talk radio, advertisements, even the music played, can all be personalized to the personality of the community. Radio seems to be the last localized medium left--magazines, TV, the internet, books, newspapers, virtually any other type of media is sold to national audiences.
The second reason radio is more personal is because people can have a shared experience while listening to it, but they can also communicate during the experience. A few days ago, my friend and I were listening to the radio when "I Kissed a Girl," by Katy Perry came on. We think the song is awful, but also hilarious, so we sang along for a few lines. Suddenly, my friend broke off and asked me if I remembered the time we were driving up to Utah together, and we spent hours singing along to musicals. The conversation continued from there, with Katy Perry and eventually other artists as comfortable background music. With things like TV, movies, or newspapers, the experience is generally a lonely one. Sure, you laugh with your friends during movies. But having a conversation during them is generally frowned upon. That's why radio is so personal--because people can talk and make connections with one another with the radio as a background or foundation or conversation topic.
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