Clearing the Static 1644

We open with a reminder about our recent War of the Worlds special which is available on this site for download and streaming. We then review a modern radio drama somewhat based on War of the Worlds. Then, we discuss the closure of Northwest Cable News. How might this impact other regional cable news channels? Are they all potentially on their way out? Standards return to Denver, and it is more or less a traditional version of the format. We discuss the differences between traditional versus modern interpretations of Standards. Then, we talk about the importance of music education in schools, and how perhaps it might inspire kids to enter into broadcasting or the media. A few more stations have gone All Christmas, unfortunately! And it's not even November yet! That's all here on CTS 1644.

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The Radio Kid's Rant! 38: Slime Run - Presidential Candidates and the FCC

Two radically different topics this week. First, we hear about the Slime Run which The Radio Kid recently took part in. What is the slime run? You'll find out. Then, the kid expresses their views on which of the presidential candidates would be best to represent the interests of broadcasting. Their answer just may surprise you!

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CTS Extra 44: Debate Over Broadcast Content Vs. Online Content

The closure of Northwest Cable News sparked a debate between The Radio Kid and Jake Longwell over the future of broadcast content vs. original, online, on demand content. As more generations get used to the idea of on demand, playlist based content instead of having to wait for appointed, scheduled radio and television programs, will this lead to the end of broadcasting as we know it? How fair would it be to pass laws prohibiting the creation and consumption of on demand content? How practical would such laws be if they should ever be enacted? We decided to release this as an extra, because this debate was very passionate, and some of our radio affiliates have very rigid guidelines regarding expressing controversial or abrasive viewpoints. So, please enjoy this passionate debate as a CTS Extra!

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The Radio Kid's Rant! 37: Not a Good Week

It wasn't a good week for The Radio Kid. Constant hassles with insurance, and with people who clearly do not support or advocate their gender transition. Hear all the sorted details here.

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Clearing the Static 1643

Another action packed show this time. We first answer feedback from a young listener in Rochester, which leads to a discussion about the status of high school radio in that city. We have a follow up regarding the translator changes in Ithaca, which leads to another discussion about liberal vs. conservative talk radio. Later, we talk about the new Classical station in Reno. A mixed bag of news from Charlotte, as Entercom acquires stations there. What changes can we expect? Changes are coming to the LPFM database, which we share. And we close by talking about our War of the Worlds special presentation, which we hope you will all enjoy. That's all here on CTS 1643. Don't miss it!

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The Radio Kid's Rant! 36: Trick or Treating - A Talk on Being Serena

This time, The Radio Kid shares some thoughts and memories about trick or treating. Later, they reflect on a recent presentation they gave to some young people about being blind and transgender.

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Clearing the Static 1642

We have a lot to get to this week. Including, Saga buying a new translator for the Ithaca market. Could this spell a new format there? Also, a lot of innovation is happening out west. A new Mormon oriented Christian format comes to Idaho, a new New Wave station comes to Salt Lake City, and a new Modern AC comes to the Albuquerque market. Later, we discuss major station sales in Salina, Kansas and Terre Haute, Indiana. Finally, two Catholic radio operators are planning a merger. What could this mean for Catholic radio in general in the US? It's all coming up for you right here on CTS 1642.

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Special War of the Worlds Marathon Radio Broadcast

This is a co-production between Jake Longwell and Serena "The Radio Kid" Hanlon. In this special six hour marathon broadcast, we pay tribute to the legendary War of the Worlds radio broadcast of 1938, and its legacy. You will hear the full original broadcast, plus several subsequent presentations inspired by the broadcast, and the mass panic that resulted from it. As well as other interesting and exciting audio goodies.

Rundown

Part One
The complete October 30th, 1938 Mercury Theater on the Air adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds

Part Two
A 1988 Public Radio documentary with interviews with some of the people who were involved with the making of the original broadcast, as well as interviews with several who remembered the resulting hysteria.

Part Three
The audio soundtrack of the 1975 made for TV movie The Night That Panicked America, dramatizing the making of the original broadcast, and the mass panic that resulted. All copyrights acknowledged.

Part Four
An episode of the sci-fi radio drama series Alien Worlds entitled The Kilohertz War. This story is set in the far off future, where the 1938 broadcast has unintended, tragic consequences on the planet Mars.

Part Five
The complete October 1968 re-creation of War of the Worlds as produced and broadcast by legendary top 40 radio station WKBW in Buffalo, New York.

Part Six
The complete audio soundtrack of a public TV documentary called The Making of WKBW's War of the Worlds, hosted by Bob Koshinski. Bob interviews four of the persons involved with the iconic 1968 broadcast, and offers insight into the mass hysteria that this broadcast created in and around the Buffalo area. This program aired on WNED-TV in Buffalo in October 1998

Each feature is surrounded by commentary, analysis, and personal recollections from Jake and Serena about the whole War of the Worlds legend.

Again, we acknowledge any and all copyrights pertaining to the audio featured in this special broadcast. We put this program together purely as a labor of love, and are not making any sort of financial profit from the broadcast, or the audio within.

We sincerely hope you enjoy the show.

To listen to the broadcast, simply click on the links below.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

The Radio Kid's Rant! 35: Trumps Attitude Toward Woman - The King of Jordan and Isis

This time, The Radio Kid expresses their outrage at Donald Trump's lude comments in the recently leaked video from 2005. Also, their thoughts on recent remarks made by the king of Jordan about the so-called Islamic State.

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Clearing the Static 1641

We open by addressing a question from our colleague, Spencer Morton, about the Orlando radio market. That leads to a bigger discussion about syndicated music programs today, and how they are packaged. Then, we lament the sale of a favorite radio station in Southern Ontario, as we fear the long established format of the station will now be changed. Later on, Jake and The Radio Kid both conduct live demonstrations of their local AM reception, to prove the point that the band is unusable in many areas, which needs to be addressed before we can talk about saving it. Also, could the Classic Hip Hop format be a fad format, after all? And, let the fun begin. Christmas music is already starting to appear on the radio in early October! We'll tell you where. It's all ahead on this edition of CTS.

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The Radio Kid's Rant! 34: School Shooting - MENA

This time, The Radio Kid offers some very strong opinions about the recent school shooting in South Carolina, and how we need tougher gun laws. Then, we may soon have MENA as a racial classification. What is MENA? And how might it impact those who are labeled by it?

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Clearing the Static 1640

We open with some sad news about the LGBT LPFM in Portland, Oregon, it's gone. Then, we comment on the ridiculous rumor that Michael Savage was fired, he was not. And we close with more thoughts on the future of the AM band. It's all ahead on this episode of CTS.

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