First Time I Listened to FM Radio in a While...

[MegaHertz]

I've been very much on the Sirius XM thing for a while now. My terrestrial radio experience has mostly been for Lions and Wolverines football if needed.

Recently, a deer ran into our Explorer, causing much damage and needing to be in the shop for a while. The loaner we have is a Mazda that, shockingly, has HD radio. So for the past week or so, I've been dealing with FM radio.

Holy. Christ. Almighty.

First off, really the only HD station worth a damn is Riff 2. The days of the DRQ and deep trax and classic hip hop side channels is LONG gone. To be fair, it's a pretty much dead technology, so I won't say much about it.

But scanning the analog FM dial was a disaster. Boring selections, boring formats, boring everything. The only station I found myself listening to at any length was 105.9 Kiss FM, which was great for playing older urban music that is too Black for the white station.

But what really drove it all home was when I was driving home tonight. While scanning, 103.9 was flipping between the Fox and one of those Christian translators. If that doesn't describe what FM has turned into, nothing else will. A station fighting signals with one being a nearly 40 year old overplayed Guns N Rose's song, and one of countless Christian programs. Don't even get me started on the east side. Is that really all there is to offer? Country, CHR, classic hits and CC?

I cannot WAIT to get my Explorer back. Satellite may not be perfect, but with so many channel options, I'm assured to find something worth listening to.

[SteveS]

I'm really getting tempted to try a SiriusXM subscription. I'm missing it a lot following the free trial in November.

On Saturday night I was scanning the dial while driving and heard an American Top 40 Countdown with Casey Kasem from 1985 on Cars 108 from Flint which I was enjoying as there were many songs that I don't ever hear on the radio now. Unfortunately, the Mexican WDTW was bleeding in too much by the time I got back to the South Lyon area.

[lidoshuffle]

Really the only FM station I listen to is 97.1, I do tune in the AM dial, WWJ 950, and WJR 760. I used to listen to CKWW 580, but since they changed around their format, and no longer have Casey Kasem AT40, I really don't tune in anymore. I can't listen to the FM rock stations, what they play I have heard over a Bazillion times, and Huey Lewis IS NOT CLASSIC ROCK!
Sirius/XM is in my car, on my phone and computer, I love the AT40 shows with Casey Kasem every Saturday/Sunday, and an unexpected bonus is I have discovered Channel 148, Greg Bell and his Classic Radio, those radio episodes of Gunsmoke, Dragnet, Fort Laramie, Have Gun Will Travel, also that "Your Truly Johnny Dollar" is hilarious but in a good way, also some of the older Jack Benny shows are funny at times....also Sirius/XM is great for news, many sports channels to choose from...I find it worth the $$ I pay for a monthly subscription, so far!

[tapeisrolling]

Have to agree on the state of FM stations. I to listen to sat radio when in the car. At night (late) I'll listen to WHMI cuz I like what they play and not much ad wise between songs. The draw back was getting the station clear due to an Ohio and ONT station fighting for time on my radio. I fixed it with a small TV ant wired up and now all is well.

[edj]

Too cheap to pay for Sirius. Agreed on the poor state of Detroit FM radio. Even 97.1 is more for PBP than anything because some of the hosts are so awful (especially Valenti and Marc Ryan).

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

98.7 has really turned it around along with 96.3. If you like 90's music, both have improved quite a bit.

[Tackleberry]

Also enjoyed Alt 98.7 over the weekend. They had some 90's themed ID's and played pretty straightforward grunge hits but there were some crate diggers heard from Screaming Trees and Social Distortion. I wish more stations took a chance with their playlists. What do they really have to lose at this point?!

[Chrocket87]

The Alternative Eras Tour that Audacy ran on their Alternative stations 12/26-1/1 was outstanding. It’s a shame more of the songs they run on holiday specials aren’t figured into their rotation, but it’s nice to enjoy when it’s there.

Otherwise, I mostly listen to 98.7 and 97.1 whenever in the area, but it’s hard to keep either on for long.

[TC Talks]

Too cheap to pay for Sirius.

This describes who I envision is still listening to radio outside "local" programming. This is why Public, News and Sports continue to perform and most everything else struggles. If I was still buying media, I wouldn't be buying radio, the audience lacks the kinds of income most businesses want.

[edj]

There’s a difference between income and expenses. Some people have higher priorities or desires than paying for satellite radio. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t spend money elsewhere.

[TC Talks]

There’s a difference between income and expenses. Some people have higher priorities or desires than paying for satellite radio. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t spend money elsewhere.

If you're in a car for the daily commute and $10 a month is too much, most businesses wouldn't be interested.

Hamburger Helper is a staple in you diet...

[edj]

There’s a difference between income and expenses. Some people have higher priorities or desires than paying for satellite radio. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t spend money elsewhere.

If you're in a car for the daily commute and $10 a month is too much, most businesses wouldn't be interested.

Hamburger Helper is a staple in you diet...

Actually no, but thanks for playing. No wonder so many on this board ignore you. I’m about to join them.

[TC Talks]

There’s a difference between income and expenses. Some people have higher priorities or desires than paying for satellite radio. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t spend money elsewhere.

If you're in a car for the daily commute and $10 a month is too much, most businesses wouldn't be interested.

Hamburger Helper is a staple in you diet...

Actually no, but thanks for playing. No wonder so many on this board ignore you. I’m about to join them.

Only the Christian Profiteers and Trump Nit Wits.

[GrahamWellington]

I'll agree with TC on this one. SiriusXM is a damn good deal when considering the variety and quality of stations available. I haven't listened to a music terrestrial station in probably 2 years. I currently pay $23/month for three vehicles along with streaming, a price I easily negotiated with them. More than worth it as opposed to sitting through 12 minute commercial breaks only to come back to "Dust in the Wind".

[Radiobirdman]

I listen to AM for news/talk and to Sirius/XM for music. I gave up on FM long ago; the same songs over and over and endless commercials.