Abandoning Commercial Radio

Editor:
   Re: The firing of Peg Simmons ["The Emmis Shoe Falls at KLBJ," News, July 16]. I used to listen to KLBJ-FM religiously. They exemplified the "Keep Austin Weird" spirit and local Austin music. Now they are just another generic corporate radio station. Emmis Radio is adding more commercial time per hour? Do corporate stations get that radio should be about music and their fans, not bland playlists and endless commercials? That's why I have since moved away from traditional radio. At work and at home, I now listen to a variety of (commercial-free) Internet stations – i.e., MSN Radio and Yahoo! Launch – among others. I'm also mulling over satellite radio for the car. I'd be perfectly willing to pay to not hear any commercials. In the case of the Internet stations, I am a paid subscriber of both MSN Radio and Launch. I can listen for hours with no interruptions. In fact, I don't remember the last time I turned on the beat-up old radio we have here at the office. The revolution won't be televised; it'll be on the radio, and the Internet and satellite broadcasters will lead the charge.