Radio has also been an important source of news in this country, a way to unite our communities, and a showcase for this nation’s musical genius. 

 

Today, we are looking to the future, and asking whether radio is all that it could be. 

 

There are certainly new audio services and technologies competing for our ears and attention. At the same time, we know that a wave of consolidation hit the shores of the radio market in the last decade. Does less local ownership mean less local news? 

 

Do big national owners mean nationalized playlists? Why are some musical genres disappearing from the radio dial? With the Federal Communications Commission poised to revisit its rules governing media ownership, these are vitally important questions. 

 

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today.  I welcome their thoughts on how the radio market will continue to evolve and what must be done to ensure that it is characterized by localism, competition, and diversity.