The iPhone Reimagines Public Radio

Since its release the Public Radio Player for the iPhone has reached 2.5 million downloads. This app was developed by the Public Radio Exchange (PRX) who also introduced an app for "This American Life", a popular public radio show. This recontextualization of local radio has introduced some problems since the ability to stream a favourite program from multiple channels may errode listener loyalty to local stations. However, Jake Shapiro, executive director of the PRX "argues that, by making national programming so easily available, PRX actually pushes stations to do less of what everyone is doing...and doing more of what no one else is doing." Furthermore, while a local bond between listeners and stations may be lost, the app actually creates new connections with displaced listeners who may not have had access to certain local programming before.

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