Could `congestion pricing' affect radio usage?

From the unintended consequences file comes a story published in the industry newspaper Radio World in which socalled congestion pricing — charging for a private automobile to enter a crowded business district during busy times of the day — might affect the ratings of radio stations.

Currently, the scheme is being tried out in New York City and is being considered in many other areas, including Los Angeles.

The basis of the plan is the holy grail of modern political leaders: Getting the peasants out of their cars and onto mass transit systems, purportedly to lower pollution while opening the roads to said politicians who will never themselves actually use public transportation. But I digress … .

As author David Bialik writes in the article (radioworld.com, search “congestion pricing”) published March 13, as more people move from cars to public transportation, fewer will be listening to over-the-air radio.

“Congestion pricing could affect radio drive time,” Bialik writes. “One of its aims is to push commuters to mass transit, but when was the last time you saw someone listening to a radio on a bus or train? People on mass transit listen on their phones. Which means they are listening to a stream.

“With congestion pricing, the government is legislating to reduce the number of cars on the road. But another result of that, intended or not, is to reduce the consumption of OTA radio.”

He's not saying the situation is dire. In fact, he mentions that station streams may become more important over time, and he believes that stations would be prudent to optimize their stream to make sure it fits the market and is processed with headphones listeners in mind, which may be different from the audio processing needed for listening over the air.

But while he doesn't mention it, there are two pitfalls to overcome. Streaming costs a station far more per listener than broadcasting over the air, both in music licensing fees and internet data costs. And the elephant in the room: If you're listening on a phone, will you really tolerate excessive commercials and repetitive playlists?

“But if the car becomes less of our target, hopefully, radio will discover a new focus. It has adapted in the past,” Bialik concludes.

Fraze of glory

“Just thinking of something he'd say: `St. Patrick`s Day is celebrating the day St. Patrick drove the snakes to dinner.' He was the wittiest guy since Groucho Marx!”

— Craig Newnes, Naples •••

“So great to catch up with the Fraze! Always wondered what happened to him. He was a god in the '70s!”

— Bob Gary

•••

“On New Year's Eve 197980, my girlfriend at the time and I went to Blackie's — the punk rock club in Los Angeles. We stayed until 2 a.m. and then drove to Pasadena for the

Rose Parade. I was a project engineer; the office was on the 4th floor of an old building on Colorado Blvd. They opened at 6 a.m. and were fully stocked with food and booze.

“I brought my boombox and set it on the windowsill awaiting the start of the parade. There was no TV in the room and when I turned on Frazer Smith calling the parade, the people in the room crowded around the radio. I was 26 and most of the people in the room were 20-30 years older. They never heard of him before but were fans afterward.

“In other years, I watched the parade at home with the sound off and Frazer on. Those were good times!”

— Bob Beberfall •••

“As a teenager, I used to listen to Frazer Smith in Detroit in the '60s — before both of us came to L.A. If I remember correctly, he was on WXYZ. It was a rock station, but he signed off every night by playing Frank Sinatra's “I Can't Get Started With You.” I still remember all of the lyrics: “I'm a glum one. It's explainable” … Great song. Great memories. Thank you.”

— Richard in Manhattan Beach

•••

“I was there and remember Frazer Smith. That was a long time ago, but I do remember the `Too Hip Gotta Go' line. My longtime friend still uses the phrase. He pushed the censor limits with his bits. I kind of remember one about monster trucks … the Fraze would be describing the trucks and would say something like they are big! I mean the tires are bigger than a [bleeping] house!”

— Tom Parker, Torrance

•••

“I fondly remember writing in to the radio station so I could join the club and get my `Too Hip' card. And loved hearing him call the Rose Parade. In a shockjock era, he was just good fun and laughs.”

— Mike Hoblinski

Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email rwagoner@ socalradiowaves.com.