Free For All: The American Model

Abstract

In this chapter we focus on the formative period of American radio, 1919–34. US radio moved quickly from being state dominated to a commercial medium. The state’s suspicion of British imperialism and monopoly laid the ground for breaking the patent deadlock and from then on commercial interests spearheaded the medium’s development. Popular interest in amateur experiment forced the switch from broadcasting as a way of selling sets to broadcasting as a means of publicity, and the development proceeded without much concern for either frequency planning or public service. Radio adjusted successfully to its displacement by television and the American model had a worldwide influence.