Chapter 43 of the latest book I'm reading begins, “He was awakened from a chaotic dream by an alarm on the radio next to his bed.”
This is a very bright line and you can see a small black box with a big red number on the front. Perhaps the radio has a thin wire attached to it and hangs behind the nightstand, or a piece of Prestik is placed on it to play the clearest singles. It plugs into the wall and has a square 9V battery as a backup to prevent the screen from flashing to 00:00 in the event of a power outage. A clock radio is a symbol of daily life, habits, intimacy and time.
The routines, habits, intimacy, and timing of radio exist in modern times beyond the box next to your bed. To mark a century of radio informing, educating and entertaining, let's turn up the volume and celebrate radio for World Radio Day 2024. !
Many of the media forms that form part of modern media consumption still exist in the same way they did almost 100 years ago. Radio is also a competing medium, and the threat is not fully recognized. Even with technological developments such as cassettes, computers, CDs, Bluetooth, and the Internet, radio remains.
Radio is resilient, robust, and relevant. but why?
intimate
The nature of radio makes it intimate. From your bedside, in your home, in the palm of your hand or in your car, radio is a user-centered medium where the intensity of engagement is determined by the listener. From using it in the background to listening to it out loud, your radio is next to you, present but out of the way. It will be your ideal partner from the kitchen to the car. You can decide how much or how little you want to participate in radio. Think back to those late night study sessions with your favorite DJ. Telephone calls and his faxes are accepted there. We still do it all through WhatsApp and DMs.
Evolve
Radios used to be physical things, like a box in the lounge or next to the bed. Staying relevant has transformed radio from a physical box to an action. Radio is a function of audio and its effect on the listener. Radio is an audio conference where music, speech, sound, rhythmic beats, and words meet. I believe that radio as a medium exists in various formats such as FM, on-demand, and online. As part of his 100-year evolution of radio, radio is no longer a linear approach, and it's not just what happens 'on the air' that matters, but what happens to the audience consuming the media that day. Masu.
we speak your language
A picture that speaks a thousand words is a powerful visualization, but is it as powerful as one word that paints a thousand pictures?Everyone listening can create their own experiences and images. Radio as a medium of information continues to play a major role in educating audiences. Easily share a single message in multiple languages, with lower input costs and faster sharing than most other platforms. The ability to connect in your native language is still powerful, and despite the heavy use of technology, the basic premise of conversation is still very powerful.
technology
Radio remains important because it is not only a friend to the audience, but also to other technologies over time. Rather than being an all-or-nothing medium, it has evolved to exist where the audience is. Radio technology has remained constant for listeners for many years, so the consumption cost barrier is low. With the latest add-ons, solar power units play an important role in areas where electricity is a problem, and radios deliver the news and information you need.
Radio has also adapted to the demands of technology and is as comfortable as WhatsApp voice memos and Instagram Reels. Just last week, I received a comedy skit performed on a radio show after the State of the Union address. Although the radio program is broadcast in Cape Town, I was listening to the content via voice notes in Gauteng. Radio transcends, radio creates community.
future
Radio has given voice to historical moments and shaped the face of modern media, marketing and advertising. And through good times and bad, we've asserted our role as the leading source of news, information, education and entertainment. There are many options for the future, but unless the whole world goes silent and hearing ceases to be an important sense, radio has a role to play. I believe that radio will continue to compliment and amplify people in the future, just as it always has. Radio continues to be the place for audio and listening, whether it's music or speech. The landscape will continue to evolve as radio becomes more robust and relevant.
conclusion
Radio is not a selfish medium, quite the opposite. This ability to continue giving is what has built its legacy over the past century and will shape its relevance in the next century. As an industry, a community, and as individuals, let's celebrate radio on February 13th with a “Time Check.” Remember the moments, voices, places, and people that made your memories. Let's continue to paint a picture of radio one word at a time.
