Why is American radio so bad?
#16
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
NPR all the way.You get a bit of everything.
I love listening to Frank Deford on my way to work Wednesday mornings..
I love listening to Frank Deford on my way to work Wednesday mornings..
#17
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
Have disliked him for as long as I've lived in the States due to his condescending views on footie.
Otherwise agree NPR provides the best US-produced radio content. However, overall, it doesn't come anywhere close to the depth of programming on R4.
#18
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
His style; Less of the B.S - more of the music
Jim.
#19
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
NPR is fine but the good programming is primarily news focused and in tiny amounts (7-9am, 12 -2 pm, 5-7 pm) interspersed with vast amounts of orchesteral music or opera.
Define good?
Lots of radio drama, comedy, books, reality-based programming, gardening programs. Radio 4 for the US.
Define good?
Lots of radio drama, comedy, books, reality-based programming, gardening programs. Radio 4 for the US.
#20
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Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 612
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
I listen to BBC radio via computer and I never fail to wonder why some enterprising person hasn't created radio drama, etc. that would appeal to the US audience? US radio comedy seemed to be popular in the days before TV but fizzled after visual entertainment took hold.
Before computers were popular (in the cold, dark days of the 70s and 80s) I would listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR. For 2 hours every Saturday night I would be transported to a place and time populated by Norwegian bachelor farmers and wonder why Garrison Keillor didn't buy his own radio station and play that stuff 24 hours a day.
Luckily I can now listen to Radio 4 in real time. My American friends who have been introduced to BBC radio are amazed and instantly hooked. THEY wonder why their radio is crap. My librarian friend listens to Radio4 at work and can't believe how good it is.
So, why does good American radio continue to be virtually non-existent
Before computers were popular (in the cold, dark days of the 70s and 80s) I would listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR. For 2 hours every Saturday night I would be transported to a place and time populated by Norwegian bachelor farmers and wonder why Garrison Keillor didn't buy his own radio station and play that stuff 24 hours a day.
Luckily I can now listen to Radio 4 in real time. My American friends who have been introduced to BBC radio are amazed and instantly hooked. THEY wonder why their radio is crap. My librarian friend listens to Radio4 at work and can't believe how good it is.
So, why does good American radio continue to be virtually non-existent
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/
A must listen for me
#21
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
Not all American radio is so bad....... Garrison is still great and on NPR every week.
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/
A must listen for me
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/
A must listen for me
Garrison Keillor
When I have to work Saturday afternoons I listen to Prairie Home. I always tell myself not to because I find his voice annoying but some weird magnetism to this show draws me back everytime...........
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Poland
Posts: 577
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
I listen to BBC radio via computer and I never fail to wonder why some enterprising person hasn't created radio drama, etc. that would appeal to the US audience? US radio comedy seemed to be popular in the days before TV but fizzled after visual entertainment took hold.
Before computers were popular (in the cold, dark days of the 70s and 80s) I would listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR. For 2 hours every Saturday night I would be transported to a place and time populated by Norwegian bachelor farmers and wonder why Garrison Keillor didn't buy his own radio station and play that stuff 24 hours a day.
Luckily I can now listen to Radio 4 in real time. My American friends who have been introduced to BBC radio are amazed and instantly hooked. THEY wonder why their radio is crap. My librarian friend listens to Radio4 at work and can't believe how good it is.
So, why does good American radio continue to be virtually non-existent
Before computers were popular (in the cold, dark days of the 70s and 80s) I would listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR. For 2 hours every Saturday night I would be transported to a place and time populated by Norwegian bachelor farmers and wonder why Garrison Keillor didn't buy his own radio station and play that stuff 24 hours a day.
Luckily I can now listen to Radio 4 in real time. My American friends who have been introduced to BBC radio are amazed and instantly hooked. THEY wonder why their radio is crap. My librarian friend listens to Radio4 at work and can't believe how good it is.
So, why does good American radio continue to be virtually non-existent
Have you heard any of their black "screaming" preachers?
Seriously, I enjoy Radio4 comedies i.e "Just a minute" or "Sorry I haven't a clue", but in my humble opinion, BBCR4 have a rather consistent and well defined "anti-christian" focus, which in recent years I have found pretty predictable and off-putting.
I also like everything about US and forgive my cowboys their cheesy radio.
#26
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
I listen to BBC radio via computer and I never fail to wonder why some enterprising person hasn't created radio drama, etc. that would appeal to the US audience? US radio comedy seemed to be popular in the days before TV but fizzled after visual entertainment took hold.
Before computers were popular (in the cold, dark days of the 70s and 80s) I would listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR. For 2 hours every Saturday night I would be transported to a place and time populated by Norwegian bachelor farmers and wonder why Garrison Keillor didn't buy his own radio station and play that stuff 24 hours a day.
Luckily I can now listen to Radio 4 in real time. My American friends who have been introduced to BBC radio are amazed and instantly hooked. THEY wonder why their radio is crap. My librarian friend listens to Radio4 at work and can't believe how good it is.
So, why does good American radio continue to be virtually non-existent
Before computers were popular (in the cold, dark days of the 70s and 80s) I would listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR. For 2 hours every Saturday night I would be transported to a place and time populated by Norwegian bachelor farmers and wonder why Garrison Keillor didn't buy his own radio station and play that stuff 24 hours a day.
Luckily I can now listen to Radio 4 in real time. My American friends who have been introduced to BBC radio are amazed and instantly hooked. THEY wonder why their radio is crap. My librarian friend listens to Radio4 at work and can't believe how good it is.
So, why does good American radio continue to be virtually non-existent
For similarly good TV here, there's PBS. While British TV is of a high standard, the sheer quantity of TV here (assuming you have digital cable, or satellite) virtually guarantees that there is 'some' good stuff available at any time. We watch tons of good science, nature, history, documentary and other programming on channels such as History Channel, Science Channel, Discovery Channel, and - of course - the various PBS channels out there.
You do have to 'search' for these shows, but - they are out there. On UK TV, by comparison - the quality is high but, if you want a 'nature' show you may be SOL and have to watch a documentary, or whatever.
#27
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
I also prefer American TV to British TV. There is always something to watch. I do prefer certain shows on Brit TV (the Royle family and Benidorm, for example), but on the whole US TV has more quantity. US radio is dreadful. It's painful to listen to. I paid $100 to have XM installed in my car. I just couldn't stand the same old 80's songs on the radio. I guess many people (the locals) don't have anything to compare it to, so they don't know it's bad. I have been in the UK a lot this year and I love Radio 4. It's just the best. NPR is the closest thing to R4, but does not come close in the quality of the shows and the depth of the debates/news etc. I do listen to R4 and Radio Manchester on the internet when in the US. This helps me feel connected. Now, if only the BBC iplayer would work outside the UK!
#28
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
NPR is fine but the good programming is primarily news focused and in tiny amounts (7-9am, 12 -2 pm, 5-7 pm) interspersed with vast amounts of orchesteral music or opera.
Define good?
Lots of radio drama, comedy, books, reality-based programming, gardening programs. Radio 4 for the US.
Define good?
Lots of radio drama, comedy, books, reality-based programming, gardening programs. Radio 4 for the US.
#30
Re: Why is American radio so bad?
Before computers were popular (in the cold, dark days of the 70s and 80s) I would listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR. For 2 hours every Saturday night I would be transported to a place and time populated by Norwegian bachelor farmers and wonder why Garrison Keillor didn't buy his own radio station and play that stuff 24 hours a day.
Luckily I can now listen to Radio 4 in real time. My American friends who have been introduced to BBC radio are amazed and instantly hooked. THEY wonder why their radio is crap. My librarian friend listens to Radio4 at work and can't believe how good it is.
Luckily I can now listen to Radio 4 in real time. My American friends who have been introduced to BBC radio are amazed and instantly hooked. THEY wonder why their radio is crap. My librarian friend listens to Radio4 at work and can't believe how good it is.
And why does the audience love that powdermilk biscuits thing? If it's some kind of joke, I don't get it.