Proposal Digital Radio

The most current issue of the Broadcasting Cable Yearbook, defines children's radio programming as being usually for educational purposes [and] includ[ing] music, informational programming, and news presented for young people.
Public Radio Broadcasting in America is not properly serving children. As of 2007, only 49 of the approximately 13000 radio stations in the United States operate under the children's radio format. Only 4 of these stations operate under a non-commercial license; 45 operate under a commercial license. Overall, 43 children's radio stations broadcast on the poorer quality AM frequencies. Also, the number or complaints to the FCC complaints about indecency on the radio has risen from 145 in 2004 to 389 in as of June 2006.(2)CPB is the largest single source of funding for public television and radio programming." (CPB,2007). In describing its golas,CPB states tha it "intends to help every child learn...[and that] CPB-funded stations reach virtually every household in the country(CPB,2007)." However, 0 of the 29 current programs and projects under the "Children and Youth" genre are funded by CPB are for radio. All 29 are television programs(CPB). This current situation means more advertising, worse reception quality, and less appropriate programming for the majority of children's radio. There are currently no laws requiring radio stations to air children's programming. However, the FCC requires that every television station serve the educational and informational needs of children both through its overall programming and through programming that is specifically designed to serve those needs. Even with new digital technology, AM stations will not be able to carry cd-quality sound as FM radio will be able to do with with the use of larger sections of bandwidth. However, multiicasting can double the number of choices available on free digital FM radio Radio has the ability to expand the minds of children by allowing their imagination to run free.


As radio becomes more interactive through the use of text and on-demand auxiliary services, and experimental programs are introduced, it is imperative that the needs of children are kept in high order of importance. The presence of children's radio on FM must be increased. In response to the FCC's MM. Docket No. 99-325 concerning digital radio, I make the following proposal in regards to digital audio broadcasting and the FCC's obligations to serve the needs of the children under the age of 16. During the transition and final phases for digital radio broadcasting, public commercial and noncommercial multcasting FM digital radio services, should be required to provide a sub-channel that offers children's programming under the same original standards put in place for analog television with the excepion that programming must air during peak morning and evening radio drive-time hours when children are likely to be listening. Multicasting channels can use sub-channels or an original channel to air children's programming and the implementation of DTV children's program obligations should not be used for radio because of the fact that no law fo analog radio children's programming was ever put into place by the FCC. To ensure the success of these regulations, the FCC must authorize the the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to take a larger role in the development and organization of children's radio programming."Funds from CPB's 2007 Public Radio Funds should be used to research and aid in the creation of a national non-for-profit organization that operates much like the model set up by Children and Radio of the United Kingdom. CAR's goals are "to advance the education of the public in all aspects of radio broadcasting for and by children and young people, in particular but not exclusively by: providing a forum for the exchange of information on all aspects of radio broadcasting for and by children and young people undertaking research into all aspects of radio broadcasting for and by children and young people and disseminating the results of such research to the public.To advance the education and training of children and young people in the skills of sound recording and production and the making of radio programs (Children and radio). Time brokerage agreements between FM stations and commercial broadcasters offering children's programming will be allowed, but there should be the encouraging of of the different FM formats to develop children's programs that correlate with their current programming. Noncommercial stations must be allowed to Children's programs that are already in existence will gain more attention and parents will will be able to quickly switch stations from their morning news and traffic to children's programming and back with ease. New innovations in digital radio will be devoted to the development of children's radio programming such as call-in radio with children, radio produced by children in schools, media education and current issues in society that effect children.