{"id":41408,"date":"2020-01-02T09:44:45","date_gmt":"2020-01-02T13:44:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=41408"},"modified":"2020-01-02T09:46:18","modified_gmt":"2020-01-02T13:46:18","slug":"the-worldwide-listening-guide-a-deep-dive-into-online-and-over-the-air-listening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/the-worldwide-listening-guide-a-deep-dive-into-online-and-over-the-air-listening\/","title":{"rendered":"The Worldwide Listening Guide: A deep dive into online and over-the-air listening"},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently received a review copy of the 9th Edition of the Worldwide Listening Guide<\/strong> by John Figliozzi:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

While WRTH is my favorite guide for radio frequencies and schedules, Figliozzi\u2019s Worldwide Listening Guide (WWLG)<\/strong> is my go-to for programming and content, not only helpful on the shortwaves, but especially handy when tracking online content.<\/p>\n

The WWLG is a unique guide\u2013there\u2019s nothing quite like it on the market. I look forward to each edition because it truly takes a deep<\/em> dive into the world of broadcasting, technology, and programming. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Deep dive” almost feels like an understatement. I received the latest edition only a few days before Christmas travels, so packed it in my luggage and read it over the course of a week. Being the editor of the SWLing Post<\/em>, I’m in the middle of a constant stream of news items and tips about the world of broadcasting and communications technology. When I read the WWLG, however, I discover so<\/em> much information about the broadcasting industry as a whole, the health of various platforms, particular media companies, and even the history and technology behind content delivery systems.<\/p>\n

Case in point:<\/em><\/strong> I always assumed SiriusXM<\/a> satellite radio was delivered by a network of geostationary satellites. Turns out, they use a hybrid system of both “roving” satellites that orbit in a figure 8 pattern and<\/em> geostationary satellites in the Clarke Belt<\/a>. The WWLG is chock-full of details like this.<\/p>\n

Each media delivery platform–AM, Shortwave, FM, Satellite Radio, Internet (WiFi Radio), and Podcasting–has a dedicated section in the book where Figliozzi explores each in detail. He also includes a “State of the Radio Platforms<\/em>” chapter where he examines the health and potential direction of each.<\/p>\n

SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Mark Fahey<\/a>, recently summed up his love of the WWLG in the following comment:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[I]t\u2019s the best guide to digital streaming media I have ever found. An indispensable guide to the world’s public broadcasters and others broadcasters who appeal to us raised on decades of shortwave.<\/p>\n

As shortwave transmitters close, don\u2019t make the mistake of thinking your favourite broadcasters disappear \u2013 they in most cases continue and the Worldwide Listening Guide will guide you to them as live and on-demand programs.<\/p>\n

I use the guide as a directory for online listening, but of course RF transmission broadcasts are comprehensively covered as well.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I agree 100%.<\/p>\n

Like Mark and many SWLs, I\u2019m something of a \u201cContent DXer:\u201d I love chasing obscure programming\u2013\u2013news, documentaries, music, and variety shows, anything the broadcasting world has to offer. \u00a0For this, I often turn to Wi-Fi radio<\/a>. \u00a0Wi-Fi radio offers the discerning listener the ability to track down fascinating regional content from every corner of the globe\u2013\u2013content never actually intended for an international audience.<\/p>\n

Digging into local content via a WiFi radio isn\u2019t nearly as challenging or fun (for me, at least) as scanning the shortwave bands in search of elusive weak signal DX or a pop-up pirate radio station. Though my WiFi radio offers an easy and reliable way to \u201ctune\u201d to online content–both station streams and podcasts–the actual content discovery part is quite difficult.<\/p>\n

Truth is, there\u2019s\u00a0so\u00a0much<\/em>\u00a0content out there\u2013tens of thousands of stations and shows\u2013it\u2019s hard to know where to start!<\/p>\n

This is where the\u00a0WWLG<\/em> comes in: Figliozzi exhaustively curates thousands of programs, indexing their airing times, stations, days of broadcast, program types, frequencies, and web addresses. Additionally, he sorts the programs by genre: \u00a0arts, culture, history, music, sports, and more. And Figliozzi also includes a well-thought-out directory of at least forty genres. In my shack and office, the WWLG has been an invaluable tool for content discovery.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a surprising amount of information packed into this slim, spiral-bound edition of the Worldwide Listening Guide\u2026enough to keep even a seasoned content DXer happy for years.<\/p>\n

The 9th edition of Worldwide Listening Guide can be purchased here:<\/strong><\/p>\n