In talking about contemporary media, we often use a language of newness, applying words like “revolution” and “disruption.” Yet, the emergence of new sound media technologies and content—from the earliest internet radio broadcasts to the development of algorithmic music services and the origins of podcasting—are not a disruption, but a continuation of the century-long history of radio. Today’s most innovative media makers are reintroducing forms of audio storytelling from radio’s past. Sound Streams is the first book to historicize radio-internet convergence from the early ’90s through the present, demonstrating how so-called new media represent an evolutionary shift that is nevertheless historically consistent with earlier modes of broadcasting. Various iterations of internet radio, from streaming audio to podcasting, are all new radio practices rather than each being a separate new medium: radio is any sound media that is purposefully crafted to be heard by an audience. Rather than a particular set of technologies or textual conventions, web-based broadcasting combines unique practices and features and ideas from radio history. In addition, there exists a distinctive conversationality and reflexivity to radio talk, including a propensity for personal stories and emotional disclosure, that suits networked digital media culture. What media convergence has done is extend and intensify radio’s logics of connectivity and sharing; sonically mediated personal expression intended for public consideration abounds in online media networks. Sound Streams marks a significant contribution to digital media and internet studies. Its mix of cultural history, industry research, and genre and formal analysis, especially of contemporary audio storytelling, will appeal to media scholars, radio and podcast practitioners, audio journalism students, and dedicated podcast fans.

Digital Audio Broadcasting revised with the latest standards and updates of all new developments The new digital broadcast system family is very different from existing conventional broadcast systems. It is standardised in a large number of documents (from ITU-R, ISO/IEC, ETSI, EBU, and others) which are often difficult to read. This book offers a comprehensive and fully updated overview of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB, DAB+) and Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), and related services and applications. Furthermore, the authors continue to build upon the topics of the previous editions, including audio coding, data services, receiver techniques, frequencies, and many others. There are several new sections in the book, which would be otherwise difficult to locate from various sources. Key Features: The contents have been significantly updated from the second edition, including up-to-date coverage of the latest standards Contains a new chapter on Digital Multimedia Broadcasting “Must-have” handbook for engineers, developers and other professionals in the field This book will be of interest to planning and system engineers, developers for professional and domestic equipment manufacturers, service providers, postgraduate students and lecturers in communications technology. Broadcasting engineers in related fields will also find this book insightful.

When it first appeared in the 1930s, FM radio was a technological marvel, providing better sound and nearly eliminating the static that plagued AM stations. It took another forty years, however, for FM's popularity to surpass that of AM. In Sounds of Change, Christopher Sterling and Michael Keith detail the history of FM, from its inception to its dominance (for now, at least) of the airwaves. Initially, FM's identity as a separate service was stifled, since most FM outlets were AM-owned and simply simulcast AM programming and advertising. A wartime hiatus followed by the rise of television precipitated the failure of hundreds of FM stations. As Sterling and Keith explain, the 1960s brought FCC regulations allowing stereo transmission and requiring FM programs to differ from those broadcast on co-owned AM stations. Forced nonduplication led some FM stations to branch out into experimental programming, which attracted the counterculture movement, minority groups, and noncommercial public and college radio. By 1979, mainstream commercial FM was finally reaching larger audiences than AM. The story of FM since 1980, the authors say, is the story of radio, especially in its many musical formats. But trouble looms. Sterling and Keith conclude by looking ahead to the age of digital radio--which includes satellite and internet stations as well as terrestrial stations--suggesting that FM's decline will be partly a result of self-inflicted wounds--bland programming, excessive advertising, and little variety.

This essential text for any technician in broadcasting deals with all the most important digital television, sound radio and multimedia standards. The book provides an in-depth look at these subjects in terms of practical experience. In addition it contains chapters on the basics of technologies such as analog television, digital modulation, COFDM or mathematical transformations between time and frequency domains. The attention in each respective field under discussion is focused on aspects of measuring techniques and of measuring practice, in each case consolidating the knowledge imparted with numerous practical examples. Since the entire field of electrical communications technology is traversed in a wide arc, those who are students in this field are not excluded either.

From an NPR veteran, a “comprehensive and lucid” guide to “the values and practices that yield stellar audio journalism” (Booklist). Maybe you’re thinking about starting a podcast, and want some tips from the pros. Or perhaps storytelling has always been a passion of yours, and you want to learn to do it more effectively. Whatever the case—whether you’re an avid NPR listener or you aspire to create your own audio, or both—Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and Production will give you a rare tour of the world of a professional broadcaster. Jonathan Kern, a former executive producer of All Things Considered who has trained NPR’s on-air staff for years, is a gifted guide, able to narrate a day in the life of a host and lay out the nuts and bolts of production with both wit and warmth. Along the way, he explains the importance of writing the way you speak, reveals how NPR books guests ranging from world leaders to neighborhood newsmakers, and gives sage advice on everything from proposing stories to editors to maintaining balance and objectivity. Best of all—because NPR wouldn’t be NPR without its array of distinctive voices—lively examples from popular shows and colorful anecdotes from favorite personalities animate each chapter. As public radio’s audience of millions can attest, NPR’s unique guiding principles and technical expertise combine to connect with listeners like no other medium can. With today’s technologies allowing more people to turn their home computers into broadcast studios, Sound Reporting is a valuable guide that reveals the secrets behind NPR’s success.

Now the standardisation work of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)system is finished many broadcast organisations, network providersand receiver manufacturers in European countries and outside ofEurope (for example Canada and the Far East) will be installing DABbroadcast services as pilot projects or public services. Inaddition some value added services (data and video services) areunder development or have already started as pilot projects. The new digital broadcast system DAB distinguishes itself fromexisting conventional broadcast systems, and the various newinternational standards and related documents (from ITU-R, ISO/IEC,ETSI, EBU, EUREKA147, and others) are not readily available and aredifficult to read for users. Therefore it is essential that a wellstructured technical handbook should be available. The Second Edition of Digital Audio Broadcasting has beenfully updated with new sections and chapters added to reflect allthe latest developments and advances. Digital Audio Broadcasting: Provides a fully updated comprehensive overview of DAB Covers international standards, applications and othertechnical issues Combines the expertise of leading researchers in the field ofDAB Now covers such new areas as: IP-Tunneling via DAB; ElectronicProgramme Guide for DAB; and Metadata A comprehensive overview of DAB specifically written forplanning and system engineers, developers for professional anddomestic equipment manufacturers, service providers, as well aspostgraduate students and lecturers in communicationstechnology.