Saying goodbye can be such a hard thing to say. Lincoln center said goodbye to the NYC Opera in 2011, after the newly renovated theater proved to be more than the opera could afford. It’s been two years since they left their home, with hopes that the show would go on. They’ve had a rough time coming up with the funding to continue their art. They must raise $7 million by the end of September to continue with this year’s shows, and an additional $13 million by the end December to avoid cancelling next year’s shows. (COOPER, 13) They have an account on Kickstarter that they're looking to bring in $1 million from. In this day and age, starving artists don’t have to beg on the streets.
While we’re saying goodbye, AM radio appears to be another one on their way out. After losing much of its audience a couple decades back to FM radio, the frequency turned away from music channels, and focused on news and sports. With the popularity of satellite and Pandora, FM could become the new AM for baseball, as a third of the teams have turned to broadcasting on the other side of the dial. The radio frequency is no longer competing only with other radio signals; they’re now losing to interference from cell service and consumer electronics. (Wyatt, 2013) With much more to say, only a fool would try, so perhaps it’s time to say goodbye to Rush Limbaugh who broadcasts on 80% of the conservative AM talk radio stations.
Feel their wings and wonder why, another airline may soon say goodbye. American Airlines and US Airways have been in talks of a merger. The justice department is fighting the merger with worries of less competition leading to higher fares. American has been bankrupt since 2011; in order to continue operations they argue it’s a must. A better argument would be, “But how come they got to merge?” in reference to the United/Continental merger that took place in recent years. (Agrawal, 2013)
Remember the good times. There was a time when you didn’t feel like a sardine in a can, back when American added extra inches of leg room in coach. When the strategy didn’t pay out, the seats were pushed back together. Casey Kasem’s top 40, aired on AM before the move to FM. You never know when, but somehow they always show up again. More than once, I’ve returned to my youth with Sirius radio. Years ago, you fought to obtain a signal for a game. Those signals have not grown clearer, but the memories live on. Remember when the NYC opera was housed in Lincoln Center. Sometimes goodbye shouldn’t be forever.
It’s hard to know what the future will bring for each of these long standing institutions. Each one may soon be a part of the past. If the past has taught us anything, it’s the lesson that bankruptcy leads to the no money back guarantee.
Works Cited
Agrawal, T. (2013, 09 11). US Airways, AMR seek an extension for merger: report. Retrieved 09 11, 2013, from Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/11/us-usairways-american-merger-idUSBRE98A04Q20130911
COOPER, M. (13, 09 08). New York City Opera May Cancel Most of This Season. Retrieved 09 11, 13, from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/09/arts/music/city-opera-warns-that-it-may-cancel-rest-of-season.html?pagewanted=all
Henson/Pottle. (n.d.). Muppet Show Them. (Muppets, Performer)
Wyatt, E. (2013, 09 08). A Quest to Save AM Before It's Lost in the Static. Retrieved 09 11, 2013, from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/09/us/a-quest-to-save-am-radio-before-its-lost-in-the-static.html?pagewanted=all