radio

[redbird]

If I say I listen mostly to non-commercial radio, an NPR station, that sounds vaguely elitist.

It's not, in this case. Nostalgic, possibly. I'm listening to WFUV-FM (Fordham University, 90.7 FM out of the Bronx) for what I used to get on WNEW: a good mix of music, including things I know and like and things I've never heard before. They even gave a home to a lot of the DJs who made WNEW "where rock lives" when I was growing up: Dennis Elsas, Pete Fornatale, and the inimitable Vin Scelsa and "Idiot's Delight."

Comments

[sraun]

NPR has a reputation for being ... high-brow?

All the other radio stations in the US are advertising-supported. NPR stations are donation supported - here in Minnesota, listeners are the largest single money source for the local public radio system. MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) has a relationship with NPR (National Public Radio) about like the relationship between WGBH and National Public Television - MPR produces a lot of content that is then aired nationwide. Probably the most well-known is Prairie Home Companion.

Public Radio & TV have a reputation for being educational - which, in most people's minds, translates to 'boring'. Claiming that you listen to Public Radio, or watch Public TV, means that you have interests above and beyond bread-and-circuses, which means you must be elitist, and think you're better than they are.

Disclaimer: I'm a supporter of MPR - I think anyone holding the opinion that I think I'm better than they are just because I listen to Public Radio is crazy.

[liv]

Thank you very much for this. I had the idea that one has to pay for commercial stations because I (obviously) listen to them streaming online, and quite often that is a paid for service. You've made things very clear here.

Public Radio & TV have a reputation for being educational - which, in most people's minds, translates to 'boring'
Well, I found this comment of yours very educational, and not at all boring. If that makes me an elitist, I'm delighted with the epithet.