We all know about "Can-Con",requiring Canadian stations to devote a certain percentage of their playlist to Canadian artists. How would such a concept work here? Ive been scanning rock stations the last 2 days and I'd say a good 50-60% of their playlists are from Non-US based artists.
Now, I'm not some uber-patriot obsessed with buying American and I'm not obsessed obsessed with nationalism or Isolationism. I generally believe in a global economy and such.But a lot of people in the Detroit area, especially the pro-union crowd, who looks closely at labels before buying anything to make sure it says "Made in the usa",take this stuff seriously. And everytime we turn on a rock station, we hear long sets of music by British bands and AC/DC, from Australia.Thats in addition to the Canadian music from non-Canadian stations (Loverboy, Nickelback, etc-its not hard to find those bands on the radio).
Im not taking a position of support or non-support, Im just saying, with this areas "buy American" passion, would such an idea or concept get off the ground? would there be a demand to put less Ozzy, def Leppard and led zeppelin on rock stations to focus on more US-based programming?

Well.... it's kinda unnecessary, because America has far looser rules regarding what is allowed and what is not, in most regards. And being the world leader in culture and experimental expression (just watch NBC's America's Got Talent for a few minutes to see what I mean), means that America is probably the most-talented nation on earth, and thus, everyone wants to emulate America and play its bands and musical styles. You only need to look to see Canadian stations' American songs in their playlist... they are that popular and liked, which makes things like Can-Con necessary...

If you need a specific example, let's take a look at WHMI-FM in Howell, MI. That little station is locally-owned, independent, and airs a *lot* of local programs, commercials, news, and some music, like the older, almost extinct "full service radio stations" that used to air a bit of every genre of music and then including news and talk when they had the space.

However, in regards to television... I've noticed that America seems to have a condition of license where full-service television station, in most cases, must air some programming related to its community of license, such as news, sports, community programming... though this seems more common on low-power and Class-A stations (however, WADL went from being a WBSX clone to having actual programming worth watching, and their weather segments are handy... though their news is of High-School AV Club quality... this will hopefully improve as they get their footing and learn as they go).

if i'm mistaken on any of these, though... please let me know.

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WLEN in Adrian is another one that fits the bill of locally owned and a full service station.

I would be against such a rule because I think it is up to the stations to decide what to program, as much as they suck at it.

City of license is an obsolete concept. Maybe in 1932, before suburban sprawl caused Metro areas to flow into each other and the space between towns was mostly farms, it made sense. Now stations serve markets. Stations are licensed to Detroit but most of the audience neither lives nor works inside the city limits. When Detroit stations talk about Detroit it's almost all crime, political scandal, racial problems and how much of Detroit has become an urban moonscape. Detroit stations "serve" Detroit by telling people they are right not to be living there any more.

These small town and suburban (mostly AM) stations have another sort of problem. Hardly anybody listens. The people in these "communities" are listening to nearby big city stations. The problem: Local issues are often dull and complicated - not grist for good radio. And these stations see "public service" as serving people who want to be on the radio more than people who listen to the radio. They serve local politicians, government officials and non-profit groups - all with some ax to grind or some program or event to promote. I've worked for a few of these stations. Putting members of the local establishment on is quick, cheap and easy. And most important, the guy in charge of some do-good committee also owns the local hardware store (or his brother-in-law does) and they just might buy some dollar-a-holler spots.

Problem with public interest programming is mostly the public isn't interested.

corporate radio SUCKS. no amount of any change of content would change the suckyness. as long as assholes like bob pittman are in charge radio will remain in suckyland. if anything they should make a rule to play more non amerikan (not a typo). but of course the powers that be would not allow listeners a "world view".

I'm can imagine such a station playing "Were An American Band" a lot. Even more than WCSX, (if that's possible.)

(Great now I can't get thet darn thing out of my head.)

This region's "Buy American" passion is horribly misguided and completely retarded. It's a convenient target to bitch and whine about people buying Honda and Toyota while ignoring the fact that domestic brands are stamping and assembling in Toluca and Hermosillo, Mexico. I can't count the number of times I've seen a car with "Out of a Job Yet?" bumper sticker sitting in front of a big box store that is crammed to the rafters with cheap Chinese crap.

As far as rules that require expanded playlists or better programming on broadcast radio, nice idea but radio isn't changing. Radio executives have little interest in altering their formula. If you want diversity and exposure to better programming and music talent, better fire up Pandora or listen to the thousands of streaming stations. Radio eventually gets around to good talent, but they're usually the last to know.

It didn't used to be that way.

Once a person uses "retarded" in a post, you can pretty much write off the rest of what they say.

I purchase only American made cars. Its easy to do. A little research, and its done. Streaming stations are only worth it if they actually personality, and there are STILL stations out there that do it that way, and the internet lets you find them.

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Solidgold Dancers - I refuse to support a company that only exists because the government works as their life support system. The sooner we pull the plug on Chrysler and GM the better. By supporting these companies we are saying that type of behavior is okay. Your point about alternatives to radio is well taken, too. When will we learn that regulation never ends up being a solution, it onl makes a problem worse.

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The fact that your kind hates America is well established GG. You get off watching it fail. Of course YOUR President, gave the Money to the car companies, and Obama then made it work, and work well, but you're too obtuse to see it. Don't worry, America will go on without your support, as it always has.

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And yet, you didn't!

Sparky - I disagreed with it but OUR last President only agreed to it because it would be distributed under the watch of the guy who really wanted it.

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You really should stop now, you'll only look dumber from here on out.

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Sparky - PROVE ME WRONG

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Why would you pull the plug on them, they're profitable and the equity the government has in them is worth real money.