Hear It for Public Radio (ha)
Ever since I started driving to work, I started listening to the radio. A lot. I listen primarily for the traffic reports (although, as a side note, I just want to mention that 680 News was absolutely useless earlier this week when the ramp off the 401 was closed and they didn’t bother to mention it to their faithful listeners, and I had to detour for ages…but anyway, moving on), but after the traffic report on the 1s, I switch back immediately to CBC Radio 1.
I used to avoid CBC 1 like the plague. CBC 2 was fine – it played “good” classical music (as opposed to “bad” classical music, naturally). But CBC 1? Yammering! Jabbering! And on topics that seriously didn’t interest me.
But I outgrew Mix 99.9, with its steady diet Billboard singles, and I grew tired of 102.1 The Edge, which was moderately less repetitive, but still had too many ads. Classical music, at the hour I drive into work, is absolutely out of the question. So one day, I tried CBC 1 again. And I absolutely loved it.
Yup, they still talk a lot. But it’s informative talking. Gone are the days where my finger would be semi-permanently poised over Scan – with few exceptions, I enjoy all their programs, and I now have a few favourites where I’ll tune in regularly, or I’ll sit in the car and finish listening, if schedule permits. The Debaters, sarcastic, comedic debates on hot topics, is one. Dispatches, an hourly program filled with global vignettes, is another. And Q, the entertainment program! Jian Ghomeshi interviewed Jodie Foster the other day, and I was so impressed with both the interviewer and Jodie Foster, who was respectfully but persistently pressed about the movie The Beaver with Mel Gibson, and who remained a totally classy, well-spoken woman.
One benefit from listening to CBC 1 that I didn’t expect is that now, I feel more connected to my fellow Canadians. Although there’s naturally a local spin on some of the stories, the topics are broad and varied, and especially during the call-in programs, with callers from all over the country, I can’t help but be reminded that I’m one of many who are listening, responding, thinking and engaging at the same time. I never get that feeling with TV.
But the biggest, by far the best advantage to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation? It’s publicly funded. Which means no ads. Ever. (Well, except during national elections. Which now won’t happen for another four years.)
Do you listen to public radio, if you listen to the radio at all? Where do you usually do your radio listening?
– Jean AAR
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Public Radio and usual radio ? whats the difference its my first time to hear about public radio hmm ill google it
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@Jean AAR – yes, I do believe NPR has run Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion show on occasion or maybe even regularly. I generally don’t listen to PHC, so I couldn’t say when or how often.
I used to rotate between a lovely NPR station in Chicago that played lots of jazz and WXRT (great alternative rock) while driving. When I moved out of the city, I couldn’t find equally good stations, so that’s when I switched to listening to audio books while driving, and I haven’t looked back.
I listen to music all the time while I read, and rotate between streaming WXRT on my computer or just my own selections. But your post is making me realize I’m missing out on the good news available on NPR.
@LeeB – I can’t read while I’m listening to music – the one distracts me from the other. However, I remember that classical music was my favourite music to do math homework.
@VictoriaS – I miss an old program on the private classical station in Toronto, called “Give My Regards to Broadway.” They cut the program ages ago, but I loved the commentary. I suppose the problem with specialized programming like that is that sooner or later, you’ll just run out of songs.
@Lynn M – Isn’t Garrison Keillor connected to NPR somehow? My American friend mentions him, and NPR, a lot.
My biggest beef with private radio stations is the number, and quality, of advertisements. I really, really, REALLY hate the ads.
Recently I do listen to a lot of NPR. For some reason – maybe it’s the repetitive song rotation of my top 40 station – the sound of music grates whereas I just want to hear people talking. I enjoy the more world-centric viewpoint of the news stories that come from the BBC and World View as opposed to the American-centric stuff that local stations offer. And I’ve caught some very fascinating documentary stories about things I never knew had happened (the West Virginia Textbook Wars, for example). Not to mention interviews with unique people from all over the globe.
I’m a big fan of public radio. But when they switch to the musical portions of their programming, I usually flip back to the Mix 101.9. Or some classic rock.
I used to have a 1 1/2 hour commute (one way) to work, so I listened to A LOT of radio. One of the stations I listened to was our public radio station, and for various programs. One of my faves was “Friday Night With Frank”, where they played nothing but Frank Sinatra for half an hour. Another fave was a “car sense” show, where these two guys would talk about car maintenance, car buying and how to keep your car in good running order without breaking the bank. I listened sometime, to classical music , even though I know nothing about it. And Jean, your are correct, they do talk , but it’s informative talk, not just to hear the words coming out of their mouths. Yep, public radio is better and more enjoyable that I first thought, and I am glad I found it.
I don’t listen to public radio but I do listen to the radio in the morning and in the evening. In the morning I switch between classic rock and country stations mainly because I want to hear the weather and some music. Dislike talk radio. Blech! In the evening, while reading, I listen to classical music.