Speaking for private radio, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters says new consumer technologies, from satellite radio to IPods, have created challenges for the old set of rules and it's time for changes...In other words, CAB is arguing that its industry can't keep up with the choices available to listeners through other media. And part of its solution to "level the playing field" against that increased choice is...to more strictly limit listener choice within its own sector.
The CAB says the required (Cancon) level is considerably lower for satellite-delivered pay radio and is proposing several initiatives to help level the playing field.
They include a bonus system of credits to encourage airplay of emerging artists, a reduction of Cancon levels to 25 per cent for so-called "oldies" -- pre-1985 music -- and stricter guidelines on the entry of new stations into the market.
Needless to say, that idea should be a non-starter. If traditional radio is to remain viable in competition with other broadcast media, it'll need to offer more choice, not less. And if current radio stations are successful in preserving their market share by preventing their medium from improving, the effect will only be to eliminate public demand for broadcast radio all the faster.
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