So, is it sheer narcissism that motivates people to feel that the power of the radio medium automatically improves whenever it’s playing their song?
The listeners complaining that it never does have generally moved on — captivated by technology that plays only their favourite songs and doesn’t require berating a DJ. Commercial FM stations have, in turn, been more financially successful by ignoring the demographics disinclined to listen. (That means everyone under 25 and, increasingly, most men.) But as long as terrestrial radio is making money, an argument can be made for the CBC to provide a professionally run alternative, especially one that promises little excitement. “There’s a huge gap in Canada between what people want to hear and what commercial stations are giving them,” says radio consultant and programmer Liz Janik. “Here’s an opportunity to close that gap. I’m a CBC supporter, but I’m also one of those people who doesn’t think what they’re doing will be mainstream enough.” An all-blues commercial station licenced to Ottawa this summer is a greater victory for consumer choice, claims Janik, because research was showing th
