Radio has been a central part of our lives for over a century. From the introduction of commercial radio to the rise of satellite radio, the medium has undergone major changes. the introduction of FM radio in the late 1930s was one of the most important developments in radio technology. This new way of broadcasting fundamentally changed the way listeners consumed music and news. From the beginning FM radio has evolved over time to best serve and adapt to listeners whose needs have changed over the decades.
The term 'FM' stands for 'frequency modulation' and describes a specific method of encoding audio signals onto a high frequency carrier signal for over-the-air transmission. The concept of FM radio was first conceived by American electrical engineer Edwin Armstrong in the early 20th century. Armstrong had already made significant contributions to radio technology, including the invention of the superheterodyne circuit, another fundamental component of the radio receiver.
Armstrong revolutionised FM radio by modulating the frequency rather than the amplitude of the carrier signal, which had been the standard method of broadcasting at the time. More simply, this meant that instead of changing the strength or power of the radio waves carrying the audio signal, FM radio used a change in the frequency of the radio waves. This method was more effective than AM (amplitude modulation), producing a clearer and more stable signal that was less susceptible to interference from other sources.
Despite the obvious advantages of FM broadcasting, it took several years for the technology to become widespread among the public. Initially, broadcasters were reluctant to invest in the new technology because AM broadcasting was well established and switching to FM required a fundamental change in infrastructure. Armstrong first demonstrated FM broadcasting in 1935, but it was not until the 1960s that the technology began to have an impact on the broadcasting industry.
By the 1930s, home radio had begun to become increasingly popular, with 40% of American households owning a radio system, and it continued to grow. FM radio became popular in the 1960s because it could support more stations than AM and had better audio quality on the listener's end, so it could offer a wider range of programmes. FM radio stations began to take off across the country, offering listeners everything from rock to jazz, and even talk shows and news reports. AM radio was often used to broadcast spoken word, as the technology could not produce clear enough sound to broadcast music. With a wider variety of entertainment available, it's no wonder that FM quickly caught on with the public.
One of the earliest and most influential FM stations was New York City's WNEW-FM, which launched in 1958 as a classical music station but whose format quickly evolved to include jazz and other genres of music. By the 1960s, WNEW-FM had become one of the most popular and dominant radio stations in the New York City area, boasting well-known DJs such as Alison Steele and Scott Mooney.
The popularity of home stereo systems gave further impetus to the development of FM radio. By the 1950s and 1960s, the number of American households with radio systems had increased to 95%. FM radio stations began to use audio quality as a selling point for home users, and many music fans purchased special FM stereo receivers to take full advantage of the technology.
In the 1970s, FM radio continued to grow and stations began experimenting with new genres, including rock, punk and disco, but the evolution of FM was far from over. Over the next few decades, FM began to adapt to changing formats, programming and business models to enhance the listener experience.
By the 1980s, there were hundreds of FM radio stations across the country, each with its own unique voice and audience. During the 1980s, the introduction of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) promised higher sound quality and greater signal stability. However, the adoption of DAB was slow due to the high cost of upgrading radio equipment and the lack of available frequencies.
Over the next few decades, FM and audio entertainment channels continued to evolve and diversify. the 1990s and 21st century saw a major shift to digital media and subscription platforms. Despite these changes, FM and audio entertainment was able to offer a wider variety of talk shows, podcasts, music genres and more. Despite the plethora of digital platforms, FM remains relevant today.
The evolution of FM radio from the early twentieth century to the present has been marked by significant changes in programming, formats and business models. From the rise of niche programming to the introduction of satellite radio, FM radio has continued to adapt to new technologies and listener preferences. Despite these changes, FM radio remains an important part of the broadcasting landscape, offering listeners a diverse choice of programming and connecting communities through the power of audio.
