Any thoughts or experience on the current and future of FM radio?

I still enjoy FM (and AM) a lot, but I have to say that the streaming services are manna from heaven. Fab fidelity. Fab selection,

I also still love my FM tuner the (Seattle)NPR 24h Jazz station is rather good sounding better at times then streaming from tidal. Oh tidal I also like to stream and records still of course as I'm of that age group who has a large collection still.  

I like FM for the turn it on and forget it thing, streaming needs attention to either set up play lists of find music etc. 

Radio Paradise requires zero attention 

but I love King FM and the Compline Choir on Sunday - the last monastic Office of the week. I try to attend live but FM is second choice...

BTW since you are Seattle area, stop by for a glass sometime and some music :-)

Radio is alive and well in my home. Long live radio? My 64 Mac gets a daily workout.

I just hope it hangs on while I'm still on this planet. The public Jazz/Classical stations are likely going to be 100% public before long, since they're minimally funded by govt. I'm ashamed to say, I'm a freeloader, not donating to the cause.

Something about the necessity of being "connected" turns me off with streaming. Is the SQ equal to the broadcast of the same station?


R&R stations are awful. I sure do miss the AOR stations, playing an entire side, after the DJ would enlighten the listener about the music.

Jeff Bezos should fund a 24 hour/commercial free record broadcast. The operational cost would be nothing to him.

I should mention we donate to public radio in both Seattle/Tacoma and San Diego - well worth the small cost IMO

a great TUBE tuner, with dedicated fm antenna (mine McIntosh mx110z):

I cannot imagine streaming sound to come close. However, I only listen to WBGO Jazz, my antenna pointed directly at Newark, NJ. 

It get's lots of other stations, but I don't listen

I have but no longer use Carver AM/FM, a terrific SS tuner, but I prefer the sound of the tube tuner.

Yes!!!!! Public Radio out of Tacoma plays 2 nites of All Blues every weekend- curated by working musician ( bass )!John Kessler - dial in !!!

Elliot - I also listen thru my 1965 MX-110z
which is a fantastic sounding bit of gear...

The corporate consolidation of the radio industry in the US has really hurt programming quality, and the industry's steep revenue declines - a result of its digital non-broadcast competition - mean things aren't likely to get better anytime soon. But as noted, there are some bright spots and among them, some of the stations even care about SQ. I still listen to my terrific McIntosh MR-80 tuner, although not nearly as much as I did during the glory days of FM radio.

Me and the wife always financially support our local public radio stations, particularly the ones that play classical.

I haven’t listened in years. My local station long ago became similar to MTV....talk and ads. Once I started streaming in my truck, well, I never reset the presets after a battery change. I don’t have a tuner in my main system at all, and come to think of it, don’t have a single radio in the house. The last time I pulled the blanket off the TV was to watch the Superbowl.

If any of you have local, small college radio stations...I have found some to be a haven for good programing.  Like most NPR/independent stations, they will need your support, but ten dollars a year from enough listeners will keep them on the air.  I am lucky enough to have a small community college station that is a Jazz haven.  

Remember when...

McIntosh published the FM station guide ?

and yes University radio stations can be so cool

I just sent my money yesterday to the Mpls-St Paul  NPR  Classical
which is the best in the country  . St Paul studios send out to over 100 other stations and many Europeans as well .

schubert, thank you for your support of your NPR station.  Not to be over dramatic, but NPR is a ray of light in a sea of....well, you know what it is a sea of. 

I think there are great radio stations that can now get listeners from all over the world.  It's pretty awesome.

Not all of them produce the same quality streams, but being exposed to artists and songs you had not previously heard is important at any resolution.

erik_squires 

What you point out is the history/magic of radio...the ability to access music that you might learn from, like or dislike and, perhaps, purchase. 

cleeds

your post in on-point.  Corporate sponsorship has ruined FM radio.
The bright spots are too few, too far, between.

Happy Listening!

91.3 KBCS @ Bellevue College, Bellevue Wa  Remember 106 KLAY out of Tacoma?   Geez maybe I'am old. Nah, as Tom Petty said, "never slow down never grow old"

A decent FM station that is mainly Jazz.  

https://www.kcck.org/