iPod didn't kill the radio star

With the invention of the portable mp3 player, the radio is a dying breed, but Weber State students still love their radios.

"I like 103.5 The Arrow," said Jessica snow, a sophomore nursing student.

"They play oldies and goodies like Boston and U2 and 80's stuff,"said snow.

Utah has over 45 FM radio stations spanning from St. George to Randolph, playing music from Adult Contemporary to Smooth Jazz. Kelcie Cooley, a freshman from Idaho Falls studying forensics, said the only radio station she knows is 104.3 KSOP.

"Besides my iPod, my favorite is U92," said student Anna Robbins. "It makes me stand up and hip and hop and groove."

Most students questioned at WSU picked 92.5, better known as U92, as their favorite. They play Hip Hop and R&B with some extra special additions on the weekends. On Friday night, starting at 11 o'clock they feature the Baka Boyz Hip Hop Master Mix, which is three hours of mixed Top 40 music done by the world famous Baka Boyz. Saturday nights feature more mixing done by U92 Master Mixers, and Sunday evenings feature something for the ladies. Sunday Night Slow Jams is all requested slow songs for you and your partner.

Many students listen to Weber's own student-staffed station, 88.1.

"88.1 used to have a top 40 and hip-hop night" criminal justice major Dan Bergen said. "It was pretty cool."

Sophomore Laiken Larsen said she likes 107.5 The Mix even though it doesn't play some of her more popular favorites. "It has alternative and a good variety, but it doesn't play the Ting Tings." Larsen said.

The Ting Tings won an MTV Music Award this year for Best UK Video for their smash song "Shut Up and Let Me Go."

Radio stations have come up with something new to help them battle the war against the music players. With the introduction of Digital HD radio stations, they are trying to keep a new age feel and trying to gain back precious ground with their former listeners.

All across campus, students listen to portable music players.But they aren't always listening to downloaded music. Many players have built-in radio receivers.

Even though the Apple iPod, Zune and the countless other mp3 music players have taken the world by storm, Utah radio stations continue to keep the attention of Weber State Students.

It turns out iPod didn't kill the radio star; it's merely a flesh wound.