Infinity Tries All-Podcasting Radio Format

Broadcast radio has been suffering from a downward trend in the past few years. The popularity of digital music, a growing population of fanatically loyal satellite radio listeners, and an increase in the amount of radio advertising is forcing a re-evalutation in the industry. In an article released today by AP writer, Seth Sutel, Seth describes Infinity Broadcasting's newest attempt to counteract these trends with an experimental "retrofit" of one of its lagging stations in San Francisco, CA. On May 16, KYCY-AM will convert from a talk-radio format to an experimental format... broadcasting PodCasts.

According to the article, Infinity Broadcasting is planning on airing listener submitted pod-casts. Although it doesn't name any pod-cast streams in particular, I believe they will probably also venture into podcasts from other internet sources. I am happy to see podcasts being embraced in this way, but it certainly raises a couple of issues.

One issue that I immediately see becoming a problem is that the radio station has no plans to pay for the podcasts which it airs. This is gonna be a problem; probably very quickly. I'm not too concerned about those listeners who freely submit their podcasts for broadcast by the station, but rather, am worried about the chance that that the station may play podcasts which were never intended for submission. After all, not everyone is willing to license their work to be broadcast freely, for the benefit of a money-making radio station (controlled by the number two broadcasting company in the nation). Infinity, (KYCY-AM) had better be careful they don't mistakenly air a podcast to which they weren't licensed.

Another issue, "If you don't plan on paying people for their pod-casts, How do you expect to get quality programming?" I just don't see how those pod-casters who develop great programs are going to allow their content to be aired absolutely free of charge. Basic economics will come into play, and the the station may find that the content it receives is less than premium, and although free, it may not best serve their audience. I can see how the station can benefit from this experiment, in that it no longer requires paying for the programming, but still allows them to air advertising... However, Im not sure that people who develop popular podcast content, are going to allow a media barron such as Infinity Broadcasting, to benefit from their work. Especially with the incredible profit margins that radio stations currently enjoy.

In Summary
I have a feeling the station will be able to make this work, but I can see podcasts doing much better on Public Broadcast Radio. I think that a system like PBS can better guarantee that my content won't unfairly benefit a company such as Infinity Broadcasting. I certainly hope to hear more about this issue as the station moves forward with its plans.

Whats your opinion?