In the wider
context, a lure needs to attract an audience to ads. Few people seek
out ads. Something has to lure an audience to where the persuasive messages
will be seen or heard. Therefore, the function of the various "media"
is to deliver an audience to the persuaders.
Traditionally, radio stations made all their money from selling air time for ads, in 30 second chunks, to advertisers. In the 1950s, the "payola" scandal revealed that some disk jockeys (who were supposed to be neutral) were getting secret payments ("payola") for giving free "plugs" and playing certain records being promoted by the record companies. Laws were tightened to prevent this blurring between programming and commercials. But, by 2000, some radio stations were selling their air time in huge chunks (hourly) to music companies, and simply informing listeners that such programs are being "presented by" the music company. Thus, without much awareness by the audience, the program really becomes a one hour ad for the music being promoted by the company, In the future, critics fear, that as huge corporate mergers increase, only a few entertainment companies will own all parts of the music industry, including the creation, distribution, promotion, and sales. On the radio, we will hear only what makes a profit. |
