One of my guilty pleasures on the web is watching YouTube videos of car repairs, plumbing repairs, and electronic equipment restorations and repairs. Yes, my wife does indeed think I am odd for doing so. And of course, in the search for material, I long ago found content creator Shango066.
Though I have tried numerous times, I’ve never been able to actually reach him for an interview or just to talk. But his YouTube channel focuses on repairing things that most people would have long ago thrown out. He’s gotten TVs working again that were abandoned in old leaky barns, found on the side of the road, or worse. And it’s not just TVs … radios, computers from cars, washing machines … pretty much anything that can be repaired is repaired … even if it’s not worth doing so. His commentary as he does his repairs is often (deadpan) comedic gold.
Besides the technical interest, he thinks like me … he believes in AM radio. On numerous occasions, he has mentioned Saul Levine’s station at 1260 AM, currently playing classic country songs as Go Country Gold. Recently, he mentioned in one of his videos that he uses 1260 to help align (adjust) his radios for the best reception.
In another video, he presented a tour of the studios and transmitter site of WION/Ionia, Michigan, which broadcasts in analog AM stereo. In a related video, he showed off a prototype AM stereo radio repaired by the station.
If you’re into old tech, Shango066 is definitely one YouTube account you need to check out.
Is this progress?
The Federal Communications Commission is looking into the possibility of deregulating the broadcast industry even more, under what is described as a plan of deleting any regulation that no longer serves its purpose or hinders advancement.
In a public notice (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-219A1.pdf) issued on March 12, the idea of “Delete, Delete, Delete” was opened for public comment, in which the FCC seeks “comment on deregulatory initiatives that would facilitate and encourage American firms’ investment in modernizing their networks, developing infrastructure, and offering innovative and advanced capabilities.”
The National Association of Broadcasters — a lobbying organization representing primarily large group owners — is basically drooling over this opportunity, as they have been pushing to drop regulations and open the doors for more consolidation for years. Opined one observer, companies still want to own more stations in each market.
“Smaller cities are down to about two or three total owners already. With this new deregulation, they’d probably lose all limits. In a major market like Los Angeles, just two or three could own everything,” he said, preferring to remain anonymous. “So iHeart and Audacy (for example) could own all stations between them. More streamlining of costs and less competition.”
Here’s the rub: Previous consolidation has already destroyed so much of the broadcast industry’s value. The stated cost-saving measures never materialized, forcing companies that paid premiums for stations to cut salaries, marketing and talent, allowing for alternatives such as Apple Music, Spotify, and others. Essentially, the decline in radio became a downward spiral, with the large broadcast groups pushing listeners away from radio and toward online content.
So, if the FCC is actually being honest with the public, this look at deregulation should not lead to the removal of ownership caps. Instead, it should lower the number of stations owned by majors and lower the barrier for others to get in. That is the only way to bring competition back to the industry, and in turn, create compelling content that has the potential to bring listeners back.
One aspect being evaluated by the FCC, according to RadioInk.com (https://radioink.com/2025/03/12/fcc-officially-opens-door-to-mass-broadcast-deregulation/), is “barriers to entry: “The Commission is analyzing whether regulations place a disproportionate burden on smaller firms, limiting competition and innovation.” I would argue that having three companies own the majority of the stations in an area is absolutely a burden on smaller firms that cannot break through what I call an effective monopoly.
The negative results of previous deregulation speak for themselves: many young people do not even own a radio, or even listen to station streams.
Don’t they call doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results the mark of insanity?
So sure, take away regulations that serve no real purpose. Keep those that reduce or eliminate interference so that stations can sound better. But bring back hard caps on the number of stations one company can own — perhaps two or three per city, no more than 50 nationwide. Only then will barriers to smaller firms be removed, creating more opportunities for programming and marketing innovation so radio — and television, for that matter — can have a bright future.
Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email rwagoner@socalradiowaves.com