Radio Stations

* The Times’ Sept. 13 editorial on the lack of diversity in radio was accurate in calling for the FCC to open up the airwaves to smaller, community-specific stations. In mass-market L.A. radio, the lack of diversity is particularly distressing.

FM radio has been hijacked by corporations owning more than one station, which insist on “branding” their outlets to appeal to demographics based on purchasing power. No matter where you flip on the dial these days it seems you can get nothing but static in the form of entertainment. Whether it be rock radio playing the same songs in a deadeningly redundant manner, talk radio loosening the lips of but a few listeners to rant on stale (read: safe) political views, or even Latino stations with the same ranchero beat, radio in Los Angeles leaves a lot to be desired (the exceptions may be KXLU and, to a lesser extent, KCRW). In a town where if KROQ loses “Sublime,” they might as well shut down for the day, all I can say is, let’s hear it for FCC Chairman William Kennard’s microradio plan.

CHRISTIAN HOKENSON

Burbank